Tamalate and Balla Lompoa, Gowa Palaces

TAMALATE Palace and Balla Lompoa is the remnant Palace of the Kingdom of Gowa, which now function as a museum. In the museum, stored some relics and inheritance of the Kingdom of Gowa in the golden era.


Location of Object 
Tamalate Palace and Balla Lompoa is neighboring buildings located in a complex in Sungguminasa, Gowa Regency. The distance of this location about 15 kilometers southern of Makassar city centre (Karebosi Field). 

Overview 
This complex of Gowa Kingdom is in the right of capital district of Gowa, Sungguminasa. Those two building are stage shaped houses dark brown color. All of the building part made from ironwood. Seem from it shape, the two buildings are no longer young. Wide about one hectare and surrounded by high walls. 

Tamalate Palace greater than Balla Lompoa. It is the first palace of the Kingdom of Gowa before the king moved to the city in Somba Opu Fortress. But Tamalate Palace which now stand at the complex was not the original palace building. Because the original had extinct. 

Tamalate palace that stand here is a replica of the original palace. The building was reconstructed when Gowa Regency led by Syahrul Yasin Limpo as a regent in 1980th. Materials and size adjusted to its original palace, based on the study of some Makassar ancient manuscript (lontara), which recounts the original Palace of Tamalate. 

Meanwhile, Balla Lompoa is the original palace of Gowa Kingdom. Balla Lompoa in Makassarese language means big house or a grandeur house. Balla Lompoa function as museum that save the kingdom symbols, such as crown, weapons, the umbrella king, clothing, greatness flag, and other goods, including a number of ancient script. 

The building combined from main building and supporter building mutually connected. Betwen land and buildings are connected by a staircase at more than two meters. In the front part ia a terrace, than entrance to the main room and other spaces such as bedrooms that had been used by the king. 

Open 
Monday-Thursday at 08.00-16.00 
Friday at 08.00-11.00 

Access 
This complex site can be reached easily by city transportation, taxi, or hotel transportation facilities. With the city transportation, from the Karebosi Field to Sungguminasa and down in front of Balla Lompoa. It is also Damri bus with AC from Panampu Market. 

Entry Tariff 
To go to this site visitors are not subjected the entry tariff.

History of Gowa Kingdom

Gowa Kingdom stood at the beginning of 14th century, around the year 1300. The first king was a woman named Tumanurung (1320-1345). Since its establishment, the capital of Gowa Kingdom was located in Takabasia Hill then changed the name to Tamalate. In that place Tamalate Palace was built. 

Tamalate become capital until the 8th king, I Pakere Tau Tunijallo Ri Pasukki (1460-1510). Than the 9th king, Daeng Matanre Karaeng Mangnguntungi or Tumapa'risi Kallona (1510-1546) built Somba Opu Fortress and moved the capital from Tamalate to the fortress. 

But in 1667, The Somba Opu destroyed by the Netherlands following the defeat of Gowa troops under the leadership of King I Mallombassi Daeng Mattawang Karaeng Bonto Mangappe or Sultan Hasanuddin (1653-1669). Since that time, the Kingdom of Gowa lose. 

Kings of Gowa afterwards does not have a good palace. Even the 29th King, Andi Makkulau, make his house as a palace. Many property of Gowa Kingdom lost. But some can be saved than stored in Makkulau's home. 

Then in 1936, the Kingdom of Gowa build a palace any more in Sungguminasa. That was Balla Lompoa. This palace was built when the 31th king, I Mangngi-mangngi Daeng Matutu, was reign and was stayed until the King of Gowa XXXII, A Idjo Daeng Mattawang Karaeng Lalolang or Sultan Muhammad Kadir Aidir. 

In 1945 the Republic of Indonesia established. The era of kingdom in the archipelago ended. All regions of Gowa Kingdom also officially gathered into the territory of Indonesia. No longer the King of Gowa after Sultan Muhammad Kadir Aidir. His son, Andi Kumala Idjo, is only a prince and never become king until now.(*)

Source:enjoy-makassar.blogspot.com