Location: Semarapura, Klungkung, Indonesia, Bali.
Timings: 7:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. on all days.
History of Kerta Gosa
The Kerta Gosa complex was commissioned by Dewa Agung Jambe in 1686. Bale Kerta Gosa is the royal court of justice that officiated as the highest seat of Justice to pass a verdict on cases unsolvable by village honchos.
The ceiling of the pavilion is embellished with traditional paintings and murals in Kamasan or Wayang style on textiles and praba. The Dutch during their colonization from 1908 -1942 utilized Kerta Gosa to persecute criminals based on the Continental Law system.
Under the Dutch rule, the penalization changed from capital punishment (death duties Majapahit) to correctional or continental punishment system. The Puri Agung Semarapura or the Klungkung Palace, of which Kerta Gosa is part, was badly damaged during the Dutch invasion in 1908.
The two buildings that survived the attack are Kerta Gosa bale and Bale Kembang along with the main gate. The paintings were renewed in 1918, 1933, and 1963. Individual panels were renovated in the 1980 and 1990s. The original paintings were restituted by traditional Kamasan painters on to asbestos material/plasterboards in Wayang style in 1930.
Again 30 yrs later, in 1960, Pan Semaris Putra from Pan Seken Village, which is renowned for leading Kamasan artists, renovated the paintings. Kerta Gosa suffered damages in the earthquake that struck the Bali country in 1971. A lot of refurbishments were done on the structure in the 20th century. The last of the restorations on Kerta Gosa was carried out in 2014.
Tips for Visiting Kerta Gosa
- Dress modestly covering shoulders and knees. Beachwear is not appreciated at all places.
- Respect the religious sentiments of the locals.
- Be cautious and stay away from stray dogs, monkeys, etc. The risk of rabies and other animal-prone diseases is high in Bali.
- Keep a close watch on travel advisories. The volcanoes in Bali are highly active and may affect your travel plans.
- It pays better not to argue with local police on infringements and pay fines graciously.
- Bargain hard, but with a smile.
- Smoking has been forbidden in public since 2011. Don’t smoke in public places.
- Blue Bird taxis are known for their honesty. Travel in them, if you can.
- Look for the red flags before attempting to swim at any beach. Treacherous undercurrents are a common phenomenon in most of the beaches.
- Eat wisely and drink plenty of water to stay hydrated. Tap water and unhygienic street food is often the cause of “Bali Belly”.
- Drugs are a serious offense in Bali and penalization includes life imprisonment or a death sentence.
