Ujung Water Palace, which by the local people is called as
Taman Soekasada Ujung,
was built in 1919 the launching of this complex of water palace was
performed in 1912 and inaugurated in 1921 by the King of Karangasem
which at first used for resting place and for entertaining important
guests such as kings or the Chief Executive foreigners who visited the
kingdom of Karangasem.
The invasion of the Netherlands in 1908 where the regents status
under the Dutch colonial and the King of karangasem given powers to
regulate regional and wealth. I Gusti Bagus Jelantik then titled Ida
Anak Agung Anglurah Karangasem was the last king who ruled the East
Bali from 1909 until1945. The King of Karangasem on this period was
the architect of
Ujung Water Palace.
Ujung Water Palace is
a beautiful park with big fish pond surrounds
the old Karangasem Empire heritage building which is used by the
Karangasem's King for day relaxation or meeting place in their era. It
is located in Ujung Countryside about 5 Km from Amlapura town. This
park is originally met one pool only which is very Ghostlike and very
secret called by Di Dirah and this pool at the period of I Gusti Gede
Putu King (1849-1893) governance with his brother of Gede Oka
(1849-1890) that the around of this pool is functioned as place of
exile for the man who alleged to run the black magic (leak). At the
period of I Gusti Bagus Jelantik governance which start to lead the
Karangasem Kingdom in the year 1909, this pool area is extended and
developed by some pools and also luxury building Bale Gili with
European style (modern style), later then it is given the name called
Taman Sukasada / Sukasada Park Ujung Karangasem and known as a Ujung Water Palace, that is estimate made in the year of twentieth.
Ujung Water Palace is strategically located in the
coastal side, south part of Karangasem town and founding a lot of
wellspring around the area. If seen from the history aspect, most of
all omissions from Karangasem Empire both for Lombok Island and also
exist in Bali, altogether area consisted by the pool and Gili building
which is exist in the middle of pool like Mayura and Narmada Park
which are existing in west part of Lombok Island.
On the most tip of the highest level of this complex of
Ujung Water Palace,
we will find a great statue of "warak" (rhinoceros). Beneath the
warak there is a Bull statue. From this high place we will see a
marvellous view of sea, hills with lush and green forest, the beauty
of Mount Agung combined with the green terraced rice fields.
The greatness of
Ujung Water Palace had been
destructed by the explotion of Mount Agung in 1963 which was made worst
by the great shake happened in 1979. However, the recovery effort had
been performed to bring back the glory of this complex of water
palace by holding a reconstruction and revitalisation project on it.
Although it is not as great as it was, the amaze of the past still can
be seen here this moment.
We can say that this
Ujung Water Palace as a mascot of
tourist destinations in east part of Bali because Sukasada Park has
been recognized until foreign countries since twenty's year and more
famous again in the year of thirtieth when all foreign tourist start
to pay a visit to Bali. King of Karangasem I Gusti Bagus Jelantik who
is known as Anak Agung Anglurah Ketut Karangasem is a Statesman, Man
of letters as well as an architect. He has created a lot of building
not even in the form of park but he also done some building which are
exist in Puri Agung Karangasem (Karangasem Palace) like gateway which
is looking like pagoda.
Ujung Water Palace Location:
Ujung Water Palace is located in Ujung Countryside lies
at Tumbu village, south part of Karangasem regency or about 2, hours
from Bali's International Airport. From Denpasar Town, we have to take
the highway of Ida Bagus Matra's Street and go to the east part of
Bali until arrive at Karangasem town. The journey will take about 2
hours and turn right to the south part of Karangasem town.
Ujung Water Palace is right located in the costal side with beautiful old building and the right place to visit during your vacation in Bali.
