Ujung
Water Palace / Vodní palác
Ujung Water
Palace, which is called Taman Soekasada Ujung by the local people,
was built in 1919. However, the launching of this water palace
complex was performed in 1912. The late King of Karangasem, I Gusti
Bagus Jelantik who reigned in Karangasem between 1909 and 1945,
constructed the water palace. Ujung Water Palace was majestically
built to welcome and to serve important guests and Kings from
neighboring countries, and for the pleasure of the King and his
royal family.
Taman Soekasada
Ujung has been announced as a cultural tourist object for it is
noted as one of several cultural heritages existing in Karangasem
regency. The complex of this water palace is the combination of
Balinese and European architectures. There are 3 large ponds inside
the area. In the middle of the main pond, there is a building that
is connected to the edge of the pond by 2 bridges.
On the highest
level of this complex, there is a great statue of
„warak“ (rhinoceros). Beneath the warak there is a Bull
statue. From this high place a marvelous view of sea, hills with
lush and green forest, the beauty of Mount Agung combined with the
green terraced rice fields can be seen. The grand Ujung Water
Palace was damaged by the explosion of Mount Agung in 1963 and
suffered further destruction during the great earthquake in 1979.
However, a reconstruction and revitalization project was performed
for the recovery in an effort to bring back the glory of this water
palace complex. Although it is not as great as it was, the amazing
views of its past can still be seen here.
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