Klungkung, Ancient Kingdoms

Klungkung Museum
The Dutch and Balinese Architectural Blend

Should you make a visit to the tourist attraction of "Kertha Gosa", do not forget to appreciate the collection of struggle and civilization of the Klungkung people at the Semarajaya Museum. This museum is one tourist site that belongs to Klungkung Regency.

The museum is situated at the western side of Kertha Gosa. Kertha Gosa itself lies in the heart of Semarapura city, approximately 42 kilometers from Denpasar. In 1925, the administration of the East Indies established the building with a blend of amazing ancient Dutch and traditional Balinese architectural styles.
During the period of the East Indies administration, the museum building was used as a Dutch-language Secondary School (Mulo). In 1942, the building was used by the Japanese occupation administration. Mulo then became a State Secondary School of Klungkung until the end of 1990. This exclusive building was then used as a museum named Semarajaya on 28 April 1992.
The building shows charm and charisma for whoever sees it. Semarajaya is divided into three parts. The building in the southern part consists of two rooms, in which the first room displays prehistoric remains (circa 3000 BC) and the second room displays some findings originated from the prehistoric period like tools made of stone, for weaving and for making salt and so forth. In room number 3 the remains of this historic period are kept, like armaments used in Puputan Klungkung (Klungkung Massacre) in 1908 consisting of daggers, spears, chairs and so on.
The room also keeps the royal remains that carried out the administration in Bali, chiefly in Klungkung. The northern part of room number 3 displays distinctive handicrafts of the Klungkung Regency like gamelan musical instruments, woven cloth, shells of bullets craft, silver, brass, barong and rangda. The painting collection of Ambron, an Italian-born painter, is exhibited in the northernmost building of the museum. (BTN/doc)

The Hall of Justice in Klungkung

Kertha Gosa was a place for solving problems concerning security, prosperity and justice of the late Kingdom of Bali. It was not known exactly who was the founder, but according to "Candra Sangkala" (a method of recording the year by using pictures of animal of plant which represents certain figures), it had been existing in the year of Caka 1622 or around the year of 1700 AD, when Dewa Agung Jambe governed the Kingdom of Semarapura.
Kertha Gosa was used to hold meetings by the regional kings throughout Bali where His Excellency The King of Klungkung gave his direction and decision concerning problems in accordance with the needs and the situation of the Kingdoms of Bali.
In April 28, 1908, when the Dutch came to Klungkung, it was conquered by the Dutch soldiers. Since then, Klungkung was ruled by the Dutch and functioned as a court of justice.
"Kertha Gosa" is a magnificent example of Balinese architecture. This building is decorated by paintings on its ceilings in the best tradition of the Kamasan painting style. Its painted ceilings depict the legend of the hero Sutasoma and his sacrifices. Have a nice trip to Kertha Gosa, just 40 Kms from Denpasar toward the East. (BTN/doc)