NEWS - Gedung Agung, a Short Journey Inside 'Ring I'

Category : News ; Tuesday, 10 November 2009, Read: 245 time
Gedung Agung, a Short Journey Inside 'Ring I'

If you pass along at the Maliboro Street, you can see big white building at the end of the street, at the east is Vredeburg Fortress, at the west is Gedung Agung Palace. Both of them have different facade. Vredeburg Fortress looks strong, but Gedung Agung looks slim. Of course, the function between them is opposite, Vredeburg Fortress was for military barrack, then Gedung Agung was for villa. Now on, the palace is still using for villa, being a presidential's villa.

As a VVIP villa, Gedung Agung is guarded by military. Just a few people can enter the building. Usually, president and VVIP guest will stay at the palace if they visit to Jogyakarta. The Gedung Agung is a part of the 6 presidential palaces in Indonesia; they are Istana Negara and Istana Merdeka in Jakarta, Istana Bogor in Bogor, Istana Cipanas in Cianjur and Istana Tampak Siring in Gianyar. In 6-8 November 2009, Gedung Agung was opened for public visitors in order to celebrate Malioboro Festival 2009.

I came to the main entrance at the north side of the site. Tens of children and students had been gathered, waiting to enter the north yard, they were enthusiastic, perhaps was imagined how the Gedung Agung would be looked like. The others are some local tourists, they are wearing hat and hold an ID card. As a VVIP area, all public visitors's pockets and bag will be checked. Visitors not allowed taking any bag into the palace.

I walked passing the yard, it has green field. A big rock being a main visual attraction, named 'Dagoba', came from a candi in Kalasan. The guide said that Dagoba is a symbol of 'Lingga', Shiva God in Hinduism. People say that Soekarno, first Indonesian president, putting a Lingga sculpture at the front of the palace as a symbol of glorious revolution. At the main gate, I saw 'Dwarapala' sculpture, a giant myth which guard the building. In the complex building, there are 62 rock sculptures, came from Buddhism and Hinduism era, spread out at 4,2 hectares palace.

The guide said that there are several rooms in the Gedung Agung, They are both big and wide. In the middle of the palace, I saw a big room with a wide red carpet inside; it's Garuda Room, an official room for president to meet VVIP guests. Big ancient mirror is hanging up in the wall.
"It's beautiful, looks like the details," said a student. She and her groups was show off in front of it. They were giggled to see each other styled. Then the act was end when a teacher asked them to move at the right wing.

There is a big rock at the corner, Soedirman General sculpture. He's a national hero. In this room, he used to excuse President Soekarno before and after went to the revolution war. So, if you sit here, you will be companied by him. I walked to dining room, some beautiful paintings hanging at the wall; I recognized some of the work: Affandi's and Basuki Abdullah's works.
"President Soekarno loved painting much as you can see some of the best Indonesian painters's work here," said the guide.

I walked at the Art Room, using to be art performance and craft exhibition. I imagine how the guests would be amazed if they seen a dancer dance Srimpi Dance. The dance will move their hands and legs, so elegant and softly under yellow tungsten. Besides the main building, there are separated building where being the guest to stay inside, named as Wisma Negara. At the west area you can see Senisono Buildings where known as an information center end exhibition room.

Perhaps, it's only 20 minutes inside The Gedung Agung, but seemed like I had a new experience and view to learn history. It's not just for me, but also the student who came the place. Although it is not allowed to take a picture in the room, the student wrote all the things that they had seen very carefully. I think the Gedung Agung should be had an open-house every month, not just in order to celebrate a festival. Indeed, public will be more respect and love their country.
"It's beautiful inside, we wish we can go there again," said a student group of SMPN 3 Gamping. I agreed with them.

[ Back ]

Share |