Taman Sari is derived from two words, namely, “taman,” meaning a garden or park and “sari,” which means either beautiful or flowers. Hence, the name “Taman Sari” means an area of a beautiful garden adorned with various captivating plants and flowers. Located in the western part of Jogjakarta’s keraton (castle), this garden took years to finish.
The Dutch came out with the name Water Castle. An old article by Groneman described a “waterkasteel” in Jogjakarta. By shutting the watergates, the complex would be completely immersed in water, leaving tall structures standing out.
The building of Taman Sari had commenced during the reign of Sultan Hamengku Buwono I (1755-1792) and was completed by Sultan Hamengku Buwono II. The building site, however, had already been known as a bathing place called Pacethokan Spring since Sunan Amangkurat IV’s reign. Its clear water ran deep.
Taman Sari belonged to Jogjakarta, a part of Mataram Kingdom. Mataram originally had been a great kingdom consisted of many sovereignties. The largest was Surakarta.
Jogjakarta was founded by Prince Mangkubumi, a relative of Pakubuwono II, who is the ruler of Surakarta. Having a grudge against VOC whose influence in Mataram kingdom kept growing, he turned against his former sovereignty, Surakarta and VOC. After years of guerrilla warfare, he finally established a sovereignty of his own, called Jogjakarta.
Ascending the throne, Prince Mangkubumi became Sultan Hamengku Buwono I. VOC and Surakarta acknowledged Hamengku Buwono I’s rule through the Giyanti Agreement in 1755.
Taman Sari was located at the capital city, with the same name as the sovereignty itself, Jogjakarta.
