Klungkung Palace, Historical Building Complex with Unique Architecture in Bali
| Ticket price: 15.000; Map: Location Check Address: Jl. Diponegoro, Central Semarapura, Klungkung, Kab. Klungkung, Bali. |
For most people, nature and recreation tourism is the best way to fill vacation time. However, did you know that historical tourism is also very interesting to do because it can provide an understanding of history in the past. So, if you are in Bali, then there is one good recommendation for cultural and historical tourism, namely the Klungkung Palace in Klungkung, Bali.
Previously, around the end of the 17th century to the beginning of the 20th century, the Kingdom of Klungkung was one of the largest kingdoms in Bali. Its origins are from the kingdom of Gelgel Lama in 1686 (in another reference to 1710), the prince of the descendants of King Gelgel namely Dewa Agung Jambe I made the palace as a ritual and practical function.
The Klungkung Palace, which is one of the palaces of the high kings of Bali, is also often referred to as Kertha Gosa and foreign tourists call it the “Klungkung Royal Palace”. At the time of the conquest by the Dutch colonialists, this palace was largely destroyed so that today only three parts can still be found namely the court hall, the main gate and the Kertha Gosa pavilion.
Klungkung Palace Tourist Attraction
What makes this palace attract the attention of visitors compared to other historical relics? Let’s see the full details below:
1. Kerta Gosa Pavilion with Super Unique Architecture
The Kerta Gosa Pavilion is a building located in the corners of the Klungkung Palace Area which is also known as the court hall. This building was founded by Dewa Agung Gusti Sideman in the 18th century. In the past, the Kerta Gosa Pavilion was used as a meeting place between the king and his ministers to discuss matters of law and justice.
Besides having unique Balinese architecture, Kerta Gosa also has Bhima Swarga (part of the Hindu epic Mahabarata), you can see on the ceiling paintings in the wayang or Kamasan style. The painting tells the story of Bhima Swarga along with other figures as well as a painting about the sign of palindon (earthquake).
2. Has Two Bales Surrounded by Pools
One characteristic of high-class buildings for Hinduism is that it is surrounded by a pond which is usually overgrown with lotus flowers as a symbol of creation. This illustrates that Brahma was born by himself and then sat on a lotus formed from the center of Vishnu. It also describes the embodiment of Gautama Buddha as divine.
Kerta Gosa has 2 bale called Bale Kambang and Bale Kerta Gosa. Even though restoration has been carried out in several parts, some of the items in the two bales are still like the original. On the west side of the palace, there is Kori Bale Kambang, a magnificent building that resembles a gate like a gate in Taman Ayun.
3. Klungkung Palace Gate as a Selfie Spot
In this palace gate area, the beauty of its charm is so stunning that it is often used as a pre-wedding photo spot. Not only does it have a unique architecture, but it also maintains a classic shape made of red bricks with various beautiful motifs all around it.
As soon as you pass through the main gate, you will be greeted with several statues that are located above the entrance monuments as if welcoming you to come and enter the palace. On the stairs leading to the room, it is also very appropriate to take pictures against a historical building as a background.
4. Meaningful Use of Iconography
One of the uniqueness of the Klungkung Palace is that it has traditional Balinese style decorations that are similar to wayang plays which are referred to as iconography. Well, iconography itself is a painting method that depicts living things through shadows and images. This is because in Balinese culture it is forbidden to paint any living things directly, so an “icon” or special character is needed.
All the figures depicted in the painting are made according to their characters clearly. For example, the devil character is made with a rough texture and big eyes. Then for the protagonist character is perfectly made and flowing and good body parts. Unfortunately, the original painting was fully restored in 1960 with a new painting made.
Address and How to Get to the Location
Klungkung Palace is located at Klungkung Royal Palace, JL. Diponegoro, Semarapura Kangin, Bali, Indonesia. If you come from Klungkung Public Market, then this palace is right in front of it.
The Klungkung Palace is located in the Kertha Gosa Park area which also includes the Klungkung Puputan Field and the Klungkung Puputan Monument. From Klungkung City Park, the location is only 1.5 km which can be accessed in about 4 minutes of travel. Here’s the route you can take:
- From Klungkung City Park, please take the east direction on Jl Ahmad Yani which is headed for Jl Ngurah Rai
- Continue to follow Jl Ngurah Rai, after that turn right when you have passed the Klungkung District Office
- After traveling about 1.2 km and arriving at the roundabout, continue straight to Jl Puputan
- Turn right onto Jl Kenanga, the entrance to the Klungkung Palace is on the right side of the road
Klungkung Palace Entrance Ticket Prices
Every day, Klungkung Palace is open from 10.00 – 17.00 WIB. To enter, you will be charged a fairly affordable fee, namely IDR 10,000 for children and IDR 15,000 for adults.
Meanwhile, foreign tourists will be charged IDR 25,000 for children and IDR 50,000 for adults. The entrance ticket includes the rental of the shawl or sarong used to enter the palace area.
A number of event-event Certain commercial or non-commercial services will be charged separately. Here are the details:
| Tickets | Price |
| Local Admission Ticket | IDR 10,000 (Children), IDR 15,000 (Adults) |
| International Entrance Ticket | IDR 25,000 (Children), IDR 50,000 (Adults) |
| Shooting Film | IDR 2,000,000 (Commercial), IDR 250,000 (Educational) |
| Prewedding’s photo | IDR 300,000 (Local), IDR 500,000 (International) |
Interesting Activities to Do at the Klungkung Palace
By visiting this historical tourist spot, you can carry out a series of interesting activities such as the following:
1. Doing a Prewedding Photo Session
By having a beautiful garden area and a building with such a unique architecture, the pre-wedding photo activity at this palace is very popular. With a cost of around Rp. 300 thousand, you will get a complete photo session with the photographer.
2. Learn the History of the Klungkung Kingdom
As remnants of the Klungkung Kingdom, you can not only understand the history of the Klungkung Kingdom as one of the largest and highest kingdoms on the island of Bali. But learn about the story of the destruction of this palace due to the Dutch colonial rebellion through the Semarajaya Museum.
3. Visit tourist destinations in the vicinity
In the Kertha Gosa Park area, there are also a series of interesting tourist attractions which are also full of history. Starting from the Puputan Klungkung Monument, Puri Klungkung, Klungkung Cultural Center, Puri Agung Saraswati, and Puputan Open Park Field.
Facilities that you can find in it
The facilities that you can find at this tourist spot are still limited. Likewise there are toilets but they are often locked and not available to the public.
So, here are some of the main facilities that you can find during your visit to the Klungkung Palace and Kertha Gosa Park:
- Parking lot
- Art market
- Museum
- Toilet
So, those are the detailed information that we can provide about Klungkung Palace, which is a historical tourist destination that you must visit when you visit Bali someday!