Kertha Gosa Pavilion, Pavillon historique à Semarapura, Indonésie
The Kertha Gosa Pavilion is a covered structure that forms part of Klungkung Palace in Semarapura, distinguished by its fully painted ceilings. The overhead surfaces display detailed scenes from Hindu epics and religious narratives that cover the entire interior.
The pavilion was built in 1686 by I Dewa Agung Jambe as the judicial center of Klungkung Kingdom, where legal disputes were heard and decided. It continued to serve as a working court even after colonial powers took control.
The ceiling displays the distinctive Kamasan painting style, where each color and figure carries meaning from Hindu and Balinese traditions. These images were meant to communicate moral values visually to those who entered this space.
The pavilion is open during daylight hours, and you can best see the painted surfaces by moving around to view them from different angles. Early morning visits provide better light for examining the detailed artwork and encounter fewer people.
During court proceedings, specially decorated chairs were arranged with each bearing a distinct animal symbol that showed the rank of the person sitting there. Lions marked the king's seat, cattle indicated where priests worked, and dragons identified the administrative officials' area.
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