Kerta Gosa is a beautiful historical site
situated in the hearth of Semarapura (capital of Klungkung regency),
about 50 km east side of Denpasar City. The name of Kerta Gosa is taken from
Sanskrit language. “Kerta” literally means serene whereas “Gosa” word is derived
from word of “Gosita” literally means established or announced. Thus the
meaning of Kerta Gosa is a kind of “Bale” building where the king announces Judicial
Legislation, justice, punishment and so on. Beside of Kerta Gosa, there is another
building which is called as “Taman Gili” which is located adjacent to “Bale
Kembang” that is a traditional building floating in the center of fish pond.
LOCATION
Kerta Gosa (court of justice) is located in the eastern part of Bali island. it is located in the centre of Semarapura town. It is located about 50
kilometres from Denpasar. it takes about 1 hour drive from Ubud, about 2 hours from Denpasar. From Kuta Legian, Seminyak and Nusa Dua takes about 2.5 hours drive. Other tourist destinations are located nearby
this place such as : Tirta Gangga, Goa Lawah, Bloo Lagoon beach. Normally a sightseeing
trip goes to Besakih temple will put Kerta Gosa as one of destination will be
visited.
HISTORY
Kerta Gosa was founded in 18 century and it has a
lot of changed & renovation were made in 20 century. These building have
been renovated after a huge earthquake broke many parts of the building 1971.
The most unique part of this building is the ceiling made from the asbestos
material fully decorated by the traditional painting in Kamasan style famous in
1930. Thirty years later in 1960, Pan Semaris Putra from Pan Seken has restored
and renewed according to the original style. During the Dutch colonization
(1908 – 1942), Kerta Gosa is still used as a court to persecute the violators
especially criminal. In line with the colonial administration, the Indonesian
Law has changed from the legal system Majapahit heritage (Traditional) into the
continental law system which is brought by the Dutch. The changes of the system
are not means to retaliation, but improve the perpetrator to be accepted back
into their society. By this concept, the word of Penjara (Jail) has changed
into Lembaga Pemasyarakatan (LP).
