Kertha Gosa A Floating Court Of Justice Klungkung

Kertagosa Justice located at 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 Kertha 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.

The painting is started from Panil at eastside with the plot rotate according to Pradaksina direction and finish at Panil north side. Kertha Gosa is founded in 18 century with unique building like the plafond come from asbestos which is dotted with the famous style of Kamasan painting in the year 1930. During Dutch colonization (1908-1942), Kertha Gosa remains to be wearied as a justice place for lawbreaker, especially criminal. Along with colonial governance, the punish system in Indonesia has changed from system of death duties Majapahit (traditional) become the continental punish system which is brought by Dutch. The evacuation system is non aim to as retaliation, but improve the perpetrator so that acceptable to its society. The painting decorating on the conference hall’s plafond is aim to awake all trespassers in order not to repeat the badness.

Bale Kambang

The ceiling of the beautiful “Floating Pavilion” is painted in Klungkung style. Again, the different rows of paintings deal with various subjects. The first row is based on the astrological calendar, the second on the folk tale of Pan and Men Brayut and their children, and the upper rows on the adventures of the hero Sutasoma.

Museum Semarajaya

There are a few archeological pieces and some quite interesting contemporary accounts of the 1908 puputan on display in this simple museum. There are old photos of the royalty, and displays in English as well. The rigors of salt production along the nearby coast are well documented.