Puri Anyar Royal Palace Kerambitan Bali

Description

Puri Anyar Kerambitan was built in the 1620’s by the 12th King of Tabanan. The king had 2 sons, his first son was born of a selir, a lower-caste (sudra) mistress, his second son was of royal blood. The first son was granted Puri Agung Kerambitan, the only palace at the time. Puri Anyar Kerambitan was made for the second son, and its name ‘anyar’ means ‘new’, as it was the newer of the two palaces. Thus, the land too was split, Puri Agung was given the South and West of Kerambitan and Anyar was given the North and East.

For 350 years the palaces ran on its traditionally feudal system, each privy to more than 100 hectares of the surrounding land, as well as the produce made by their populace. Puris were always places foreign dignitaries would visit, to talk of trade and share gifts. One of the most common gifts that Puri Anyar was given were ceramic plates. These were original Delftware (Delft Blue) plates from Holland, which for some reason became part of the palaces adornments. These plates of an unknown age are embedded into the reliefs of balés and on temple shrines.