Taman Sari homestead ( Hamengku Buwana I )

Taman Sari homestead, which is better known as Taman Sari Palace is located west of Yogyakarta Palace was built in the reign of Sultan Hamengku Buwana I and completed in the reign of Sultan Hamengku Buwana II. However, the location of Taman Sari homestead as a bathing place has been known long before. In the reign of Panembahan Senapati, the location of Taman Sari, which are now better known as Bannerman (fountain) Pacethokan. Bannerman was once famous for its large water flow and clear. This Pacethokan one important consideration for determining the location of Yogyakarta Palace candidates.

Taman Sari homestead was built after the Treaty of Giyanti (1755), ie, after the Sultan Hamengku Buwana long involved in disputes and wars. The building is intended as a building that can be used for reassurance, rest, and recreation. However, Taman Sari was also prepared as a means / castle to confront the danger situation. Besides, this building was also used for religious facilities. Therefore Taman Sari homestead also equipped with a mosque, precisely in Sumur Gumuling building.

Taman Sari name consists of two words, namely parks ‘garden planted with flowers’ and the essence of ‘beautiful flower’. Thus, the name of the Taman Sari intended as the name of a park complex that really beautiful, or beautiful.

Two Stories About the Development Version Taman Sari Guesthouse

1. First version

In the first version is told that in Mancingan (an area on the south coast of Yogyakarta) there is a freak of unknown origin. Communities in the area are many who suspect that these people including compatriots jinn or forest dwellers. Communities think so because people are using language not understood by local people. A freak is then confronted with Sultan Hamengku Buwana II which was then ruled. Sultan Hamengku Buwana II Apparently people are willing to take as a retainer. After a while the person was able to speak Javanese. Based on his statement as he admitted that in the Portuguese dialect often referred Portegis Java. Portegis people were then used as servants in charge of building it (a kind of architect).

Sultan Hamengku Buwana II ordered the person to make a fort. Apparently Sultan Hamengku Buwana II is very pleased his work. The person is then given a position as village headman, the man was known by the name Demang Portegis or Demang Tegis. Demang Tegis is supposedly ordered to build the Taman Sari homestead. Therefore also the Taman Sari homestead building shows elements of the building art from Europe (Portugal).
2. Both versions

According to the second version, is told that at one time Regent Madiun, who was named raden Rangga Prawirasentika, which has much contributed to the Sultan Hamengku Buwana I pleaded with him to exempt from paying local taxes that had been conducted twice a year. Regent Madiun agreed only if there are specific requests Sultan Hemngku Buwana I for completeness and splendor of the palace ornaments. Sultan Hamengku Buwana I also grant the request.

By Sultan Hamengku Buwana I Regent Madiun ordered to make Sekaten gamelan, as a complement of the gamelan Sekaten from Surakarta. Gamelan was originally numbered one pair, but because the transitional villages (1755) divided the orchestra. One for KasultananYogyakarta and one for Kasunanan Surakarta. In addition, Sultan Hamengku Buwana I also ordered the Regent Madiun for making jempana ‘stretcher’, as the bride vehicle Sultan Hamengku Buwana I.

In the year 1684 Raden Rangga Prawirasentika told to make bricks and completeness in preparation for building a beautiful landscape as a means of reassuring Sultan Hamengku Buwana I. The Sultan wanted it that way because just completed task (war) which lasted long enough. Discharge orders Sultan Hamengku Buwana I, marked by sengkalan memet which reads Catur Naga Rasa Tunggal (1684).
To manufacture landscape / rest house was the approval Sultan Hemengku Buwana I, headed by Raden Tumenggung Mangundipura and led by KPH Natakusuma, which later became K.G.P.A.A. Paku Alam I (the Sultan’s son by a concubine wife named Bendara Raden Ayu Srenggara). Making the contest and culvert construction ‘chute’ that led to the palace which is often called “Cave Demon” made in 1687 and marked with candra sengkala Pujining Brahmana Ngobahake Pajungutan (1687). While the development of the gates and walls completed in 1691.

Completion of the building making Taman Sari homestead sengkalan memet marked relief in the form of flowering trees and honey is inhaled by the birds. Sengkalan memet reads Lajering Kembang Sinesep Peksi (1691).

In this second version is told that Raden Rangga Prawirasentika can not finish creating the park building Taman Sari homestead. He stated that the development actually feels bigger than the delivery cost tax twice a year so far done. Therefore he asked to stop at the Sultan and allowed. The Sultan then ordered K.P.H. Natakusuma for completion of the building costs incurred for the Sultan himself.

Taman Sari homestead development, it is said a lot of labor involved not only coming from around Yogyakarta, but also from Madiun, Kedu, Jipang, and so on.