Taman Putroe Phang....A Royal Love Affair
Trip Start
Mar 22, 2012
1
18
25
Trip End
Mar 26, 2012
Where I stayed
Banda Aceh, Sumatra, Indonesia
Sunday, March 25, 2012
This park was built by Sultan Iskandar Muda of Aceh who ruled Aceh from 1607 - 1636. Putroe Phang is the princess from the state of Pahang Malaysia and was his bride when he conquered the state of Pahang during the 17th Century. Putroe in Acehnese language means princess and Phang denotes the state of Pahang in Malaysia.
As the Sultan used to travel very often, he felt that his princess needed some time to herself and with her friends and maids in Aceh. This structure as you can see from the photographs was where the princess had her daily ablutions and then used to rest in the small structure built in the middle of the pond.
This place is also believed to have a secret passage to the palace proper which has not been found yet till present day, but somehow the architecture suggests so. This place was then also connected to Gunungan which we shall be seeing more of it in the next entry.
The arch like structure in the middle of the pond was supposed to be the entrance gates to the connecting tunnel which leads to the palace. On the whole, this place was nice but I truly felt that the upkeep could have been better.
The pond which was linked to a running river was clogged and seriously needed some maintenance. The running river has stagnated long ago, mainly caused by rubbish that was being thrown into it by the nearby village homes.
If the authorities can do something about the upkeep on this place where it is a state symbol, I truly feel that this place would surely look much better and have greater number of tourists coming here to visit.
Comments
I agree with you bro! The upkeep should have been better...especially these historical places.
HI Jay, thank you for the mutual agreement :)