Taman Sari Water Castle

Taman Sari was once a beautiful and sophisticated water park. The area around the park eastward until the city-quarter called "Kampung Segaran" was once full of water. This area is now called Suryoputran. Segaran is a Javanese word means manmade or artificial sea.

Every time the Sultan visited the park, he went there by rowing a private canoe through the suspension bridge called "Kreteg Gantung" which laid in front of the palace gate, southward or northward Kemandungan. The remainder of the building which was once connected by that suspension bridge can still be seen nowadays. Beside water transportation, there was also underground passage or alley from the Kraton Yogyakarta leading to one of the park building which is called Pasarean Ledok sari.

Th castle once has a place for relaxation and entertainment as well as a unique defense system. While the water was not only to beautify the park, but also functioned as a secret weapon in avoiding danger. Whenever the enemy attack, the Sultan and his family would flee away through the underground passes. When all are already in safe place, the water gate would be opened and the water would overflow the passage that the enemy will be sunk.

Once part of the place was called Pulau Kenanga because in the front yard of the building grown Kenanga trees (Canangium Odoratum). The flower spread out the sweet fragrance through all the parts of the park.

The lofty building such as the pond were especially for the Sultan and his family to bathe. The underground passage led to west area, and the bulwark which encircled the area of the palace, as well as the one which led southward to a small village called Krapyak, have already been restored.