Kertagosa, historic relics in Bali

Kertagosa. Image: my.opera.com

Kertagosa is one of the kingdom of Klungkung heritages. Kertagosa was built around 1686 by the first king of Klungkung Ida I Dewa Agung Jambe. Kertagosa consists of two buildings (bale) that Bale Kerta Gosa and Bale Kerta Kambang. Bale called Kambang because the building is surrounded by a pond that is Taman Gili.  Kerta Gosa uniqueness with this Kambang Bale is on the ceiling surface or bale ceiling is decorated with traditional Kamasan style painting (a village in Klungkung) or puppet style that is very popular among the people of Bali.

At first, the paintings that adorn the ceiling of the building are made of cloth and parba. Since 1930 the painting was replaced and made in the plasterboard, then restored according to the original drawings and still intact today. As cultural heritage Semarapura Palace, Kertagosa and Bale Kambang enabled to hear the case and place where religious ceremonies especially "Manusa yadnya" i.e. tooth filing ceremony (mepandes) for the children of the king. 

Kamasan painting in Kertagosa. Image: alsplayground84.blogspot.com/

During World War II Klungkung kingdom did not escape from the Dutch military aggression known as Puputan Klungkung on April 28, 1908. At this event many were killed, including the last king of Klungkung so these events perpetuated by the establishment Puputan Klungkung Monument.

Kerta Gosa was also once functioned as the court hall during the Dutch colonial bureaucracy in Klungkung (1908-1942) and since the appointment of the head of local indigenous officials in the kingdom of Klungkung (Ida I Dewa Agung Negara Klungkung) in 1929. In fact, the former court equipment such as chairs and wooden tables carved and paint wears prade still there. The objects constitute evidence of indigenous heritage of traditional institutions such as the courts ever apply in Klungkung in the colonial period (1908-1942) and the period of Japanese occupation (1043-1945).

 

Kertagosa court. Image: travel.kompas.com

 In 1930, restoration of the painting ever done puppet contained in Kerta Gosa and Bale Kambang by the artists of Kamasan painting. Restorers have done in 1960.

Kertagosa is a beautiful and unique Balinese building. Kertagosa now become one of the tourist attraction visited by domestic and foreign tourists. If you are a fan of historical relics, then Kertagosa is a place you should visit when you are on holiday in Bali.