Java Island, Indonesia
Water Castle of Taman Sari
Taman Sari, often called the Water Castle by tourists, is a former royal garden with associated structures built by Hamengku Buwono I, the first sultan of the Yogyakarta kingdom. The original complex included a series of water gardens, pools, and artificial lakes, as well as a collection of 59 buildings. Though considerable parts of Taman Sari were destroyed by war and natural disaster, you can still marvel at the eighteenth-century Javanese architecture of the remaining mosque, bathing space, and underground tunnels. Your local guide will also introduce to you the history of the Water Castle as well as stories about the sultans and their royal life there.
