Klungkung was the oldest kingdom on the island and its "Raja"
the most exalted. Kertha Gosa (The Court Hall) and Taman Gili (The Floating
Pavilion) were formerly parts of Semarapura Palace of Klungkung Kingdom,
built in the 18th century. A main gate or the royal palace well known
as "Pemedal Agung" is hitherto standing intactly at the Western part of
the Court Hall and the Floating Pavilion. For its ceiling painted in the
traditional wayang style portraying punishment in hell and the rewards
in heaven and other aspects of moralities. The floating pavilion, garden
and lotus ponds in this walled- in complex, located on the main intersection
of town are a reminder of the former glory of this kingdom.
Taman Gili, Royal Courts of Justice Pavilions, with their surrounding
lotus ponds, are a graceful reminder of the former glory of this kingdom.
These pavilions, built in the 18th century, are located at the main road
intersection side of the town of Klungkung (40 km. from Denpasar). They
are especially known for their ceiling murals, painted in the traditional
"Wayang" style, depicting the punishments in hell for miscreants, and
higher up, the rewards in heaven for those that lead a good and honest
life. The courts were presided over by three pedandas (high priest), and
continued to fulfill their function through Dutch colonial times. The
Kerta was the island's highest court of justice. The old buildings were
renovated and restored in 1960. Behind the Kerta Gosa stands a tall gateway.
This gateway is all that remains of what was once the first and most elaborate
palace in Bali, which was destroyed by the Dutch artillery when they bombarded
the town of Klungkung and Gelgel into submission in 1908. As had happened
in other kingdoms in Bali, the Dewa Agung led a great "Puputan", or ceremonial
fight to death, and so ended 600 years of rule in Bali by the lineal descendents
of the emperors of Majapahit. After this conquest, the Dutch had gained
control of all of Bali.
Kerta Gosa
The town of Klungkung centers around the Puri Smarapura or 'Palace of
the God of Love" former home of Bali's most illustrious line of kings.
Unfortunately, all that remains now are the great gate and garden, and
two pavilions with magnificently painted ceilings. These are the Kerta
Gosa Hall of Justice overlooking the town's main intersection, and the
larger Bale Kambang or Floating Pavilion just behind it.
The rest of this splendid complex was razed to the ground in 1908, during
the royal mass suicide or puputan ('ending") against the Dutch invaders.
This event removed the last obstacle to Dutch domination of the island.
A monument commemorating the puputan now stands across the road.
The Kerta Gosa was a place for the administration of traditional justice
in precolonial times by a council consisting of the great king and his
priests. The Paintings on the ceiling tell of the punishments awaiting
evil-doers in hell, and of the delights of the gods in heaven. Different
levels and stations in heaven and hell are described through the story
of the hero Bima, who journeys to the underworld to save the souls of
his parents. These scenes were used to alternately threaten and cajole
anyone who appeared before the court.
Like the Sistine Chapel, the Kerta Gnsa presents a whole complex of ideas
on the workings of fate and the role of the divine in human affairs. The
ceilings themselves have been repainted three times in recent memory.
The last complete refurbishment occurred in 1960 under the famous artist
Pan Seken, although in 1984, weather damage caused a number of panels
to be repaired.
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