Yogyakarta: Water Castle (Tamansari)

After exploring the city center, my driver brought me to one of the important structures in the area, the Water castle or Tamansari which is located at Kraton area. It was once the residence of the Sultan where royal baths took place, complete with sauna and “locker” rooms, a place of worship, and where he houses all his wives. The castle got its name because the complex is literally surrounded by water during its golden days thus why you’ll find canals underground.

From what my guide is telling me, I could compare the Water castle to China’s Forbidden City where ordinary people are not allowed to go inside the vicinity unless if you are summoned and/or have official business. The front facade of the castle was destroyed after the 2006 earthquake; luckily the whole complex is still intact.

Just Add Water

The Water Castle or Tamansari complex is divided into three parts: the Sacred Room which once functioned as a hermitage place for the Sultan and his family. Only the royal family is allowed to enter this room

The Bathing Pool is a pleasure place for the royal family. Consist of two bathing pools that are separated with a 2-storey building. From this building the Sultan watched all the women swimming in the outer pool. Then he might ask some of them to accompany him into the inner pool (sounds like your old school Playboy Mansion).

Pool of the Sultan

Second pool where the Sultan picked women to

join him on the other side

According to my guide, on one hand the first Sultan had 40 wives all in all. I wonder where are they now and how did he managed all of them? On the other hand Hamengkubuwana X, (10^th and current Sultan) is loyal to his one and only wife.

Kenanga or Cemeti Island, an artificial island used as resting place, it is the only structure you’ll see when the dams are open and water flooded the canals. From the higher place it looks like a lotus floating in the middle of a big pool. 

Looks like a scene from Star Wars

Water Canals

When I was brought inside the canals, I shared the same sentiments with other travel bloggers who’ve been in the same exact place; it reminds us of Luke Skywalker’s home in the Star Wars movies. I even thought Chubaka, C3PO or R2D2 is somewhere hiding in the area.

At present, Kraton no longer have the royal status it used to have. After the water drained inside the canals and the foreign conquerors grew power led by the Dutch, the Sultan opened the complex to the people. There are now communities surrounding the vicinity and the once elite Water Castle is now a favorite location for shootings, photo shoots and a place where families hang out.

Yogyakarta Series:

Yogyakarta: Random Stories

Exploring the city on a Becak

Yogyakarta: Water Castle (Tamansari)

One Big Candi: Borobudur Temple
Heart Breaker: The Prambanan Temple Love Story
Side Trip: Mendut
Money Rundown: Power of Rupiah