The main object in the site is the pond. The pond is surrounded by 6 meter high walls as it was used as the bathing pond for the Sultan’s wives. There is a construction shaped like a tower in there. People say it was the place in which the Sultan used to watch his wives bathing.
On the front gate of Tamansari, there was a map that displays the site lay out in the past. The map shows that around the site, there was a fruit garden that the Sultan could pick fruits anytime. Among the fruits were watermelon, pineapple, and mango. With the garden, it could be easily imagined how cool and exquisite Tamansari was. However, it is impossible now to find such atmosphere there. Today, the surrounding of Tamansari has become people’s residences. They say the people living there are relatives of abdi dalem Kraton (royal servants) that inherited the houses from generation to generation.
Tamansari was built after the signing of Giyanti Treaty in 1755, that is after Sultan Hamengku Buwono came to terms with Sultan Pakubuwono III to end a long dispute. The building was intended to be a place for the Sultan to comfort mind, rest, and relax. However, Tamansari was also prepared to be a fort in case of danger and a place of worship, which is why in the Sumur Gumuling compartment there was a mushola (small mosque). The name Tamansari itself consists of two words, namely taman which means flower garden and sari which means beautiful. Thus, Tamansari was meant to be a complex of very beautiful garden.
Tamansari is only 0,5 km south of Yogyakarta Royal Palace. The architect was a Portuguese that the constructions embody much of European architectural art despite the Javanese symbols found in it. Yet, if observed carefully, Javanese architecture is actually dominant here. The construction was commenced by Sultan Hamengku Buwono I in the end of the 17th century. Tamansari was not only a royal garden, it was a recreational complex that consists of a bathing pond, water canals, rooms, and a big pond that would contain water if the canal is opened.
In brief, the compartments of Tamansari are as follows:
- Sacred compartment. This part is a bit secluded from others and consists of a construction that used to be the Royal place for meditation.
- Bathing pond. This part was where the Sultan and his family had a recreation. It constitutes two ponds that are divided by a kind of bridging path in between. The water flows from typical animal-shaped fountains. The pools is unique with some huge pots in it.
- Pulau Kenanga compartment. This part consists of some constructions, namely Pulau Kenanga or Pulau Cemeti, Sumur Gumuling, and underground lanes.
Pulau Kenanga or Pulau Cemeti is a tall construction that functioned as a resting as well as spying place. This is the only construction that could be seen when the water canal is opened and the water flooding the compartment. It is said that if seen from above, the construction will look like a lotus in the middle of a very big pond. As soon as entering the site, visitors will find a big pond containing clear water fragmented into two smaller ponds. Beside this main pond, after descending the watching tower, visitors will find another small pond.
The pleasure of sitting relaxedly while looking at the ponds on the north and south side will be an experience visitors could relish on the tower of Tamansari. The breeze is slipping through the authentic wooden bars of the windows that have never been renovated since the first construction. Moreover, visitors could also enjoy looking at the surrounding residence that is believed to be once a fruit garden.
From upon the tower, visitors could go back down to continue the tour in Tamansari. In this compartment, there are an old-styled kitchen and a unique underground mosque. This mosque consists of two floors and is cylindrical with some hollow spaces on the walls as windows. There is a small round pond in the middle of the mosque compartment and a staircase above it. This part clearly has an elegant and artistic architecture. Furthermore, there is a tunnel that leads to some other passageways. One of the paths is believed to be a shortcut for the Sultan to go to the Southern Sea (Indian Ocean). On the north of the tunnel there is an old building that is still a part of the Tamansari complex. The building has two stories and is quite high. Upon it, visitors can see the surrounding beauty of the site. Here, visitors could at least for a while experience the luxury of being a Sultan.
Tamansari Location
Tamansari lies near the Yogyakarta Royal Palace, precisely on the southwest of the Palace or south of Ngasem Bird Market. Administratively, Tamansari is situated in Kampung Taman, the District of Keraton, Yogyakarta. From the Royal Palace, Tamansari can be reached on foot, which will take approximately 15 minutes, or by car, which will take around 5 minutes. Visitors can also go there by pedicab. There are many accesses to the site through small paths in the Kampung Taman. But if come by cars, it is better for the visitors to get to the site through the east gate as there is a wide parking lot. Tourists can get a guide who will explain the history, meaning, and function of each construction in Tamansari. The tariff varies from Rp 25.000,- to Rp 50.000,-, depending on agreement between the tourist and guide.
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