Taman Sari Gunongan and Pinto Khop

Taman Sari Gunongan and Pinto Khop: Symbol of Love and Legacy of the Aceh Sultanate's Glory

Taman Sari Gunongan and Pinto Khop is one of the most iconic historical sites in Banda Aceh City, Aceh Province. This site is not merely an architectural relic, but a monument of love, political diplomacy, and aesthetic manifestation from the golden era of the Aceh Darussalam Sultanate. Located in the complex now known as Taman Putroe Phang, this site stands as a silent witness to the grandeur of Sultan Iskandar Muda's reign (1607–1636).

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Historical Origins and Background of Establishment

The construction of Gunongan began from a romantic love story between Sultan Iskandar Muda and his consort, Putri Kamaliah, better known as Putroe Phang (Princess of Pahang). The princess was the daughter of the Sultan of Pahang in the Malay Peninsula, brought to Aceh after the territory was conquered by Sultan Iskandar Muda.

It is said that Putroe Phang often felt lonely and missed her hilly homeland in Pahang. To alleviate the consort's longing, Sultan Iskandar Muda ordered the construction of a pleasure garden equipped with a man-made mountain-shaped building called "Gunongan". This construction is estimated to have taken place in the early 17th century, as part of the vast and magnificent Darud Dunya palace complex of its time.

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Architecture and Construction Details of Gunongan

Gunongan possesses a very unique architecture, not found elsewhere in the Nusantara. This building stands approximately 9.5 meters tall with an octagonal shape resembling a blooming flower or a coral mountain. Its architecture reflects a blend of local styles with a strong Hindu-Buddhist aesthetic influence, despite being built within the context of an Islamic sultanate.

The structure of Gunongan consists of three tiers that gradually narrow towards the top. Each tier is connected by narrow stairs that can be climbed to the summit. Visually, its walls are clean white (a result of modern restoration) with ornaments resembling flower petals. At its peak, there is a pole or pillar symbolizing the grandeur and focal point of the garden.

The original construction used a very strong combination of mountain stones, limestone, and traditional adhesives, allowing this building to remain standing firm despite Aceh being shaken by various natural disasters, including the devastating earthquake and tsunami in 2004.

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Pinto Khop: The Exclusive Connecting Gate

Not far from Gunongan, there is another important structure called Pinto Khop (Kupiah Gate). Pinto Khop is a gate or entrance that connected the palace (Darud Dunya) with the consort's bathing garden area. This gate has an arched design resembling a kupiah (traditional cap) or crown, adorned with very fine and detailed relief carvings.

Functionally, Pinto Khop was a highly private transitional area. This was where the princess would rest after bathing in the Krueng Daroy river that flowed beside the garden. On the walls of Pinto Khop, there are floral motifs symbolizing beauty and purity. This gate is evidence of the sophisticated stone carving art of the Acehnese people at that time, who were able to combine visual aesthetics with intimate spatial functions.

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Cultural Significance and Palace Life

In its heyday, Taman Sari Gunongan was more than just a recreational spot. This area served as a center for cultural and spiritual activities for the royal family. Around Gunongan, there is a flat stone structure called "Peterana Batu" (Stone Seat), believed to be where the Sultan or consort sat while watching artistic performances or simply enjoying the evening air.

Additionally, there is "Isak-isak", an underground passage that, according to legend, connected the palace to Gunongan, although the existence of this passage is still a subject of further archaeological research. The Krueng Daroy river flowing beside it was designed with small dams to create a cool atmosphere and the soothing sound of flowing water, establishing a formal garden ecosystem resembling the concept of a Paradise Garden in Islamic tradition.

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Important Figures and Historical Periods

The central figure in the history of this site is Sultan Iskandar Muda, the greatest ruler of Aceh, who brought the sultanate to its peak of glory in military, economic, and literary fields. The presence of Putroe Phang herself had a significant influence on customary law in Aceh. The famous Acehnese proverb, "Adat bak Po Teumeureuhom, Hukom bak Syiah Kuala, Kanun bak Putroe Phang, Reusam bak Laksamana", shows how great the princess's role was in formulating palace rules (kanun).

This site was maintained by the Sultan's successors, including his son-in-law, Sultan Iskandar Thani, who continued to beautify the pleasure garden area. However, with the collapse of the sultanate's power due to Dutch colonialism in the late 19th century, much of the Darud Dunya palace complex was destroyed, leaving Gunongan and Pinto Khop as the main surviving structures.

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Preservation and Restoration

Taman Sari Gunongan and Pinto Khop are currently under the protection of the Cultural Heritage Preservation Center. Restoration efforts have been carried out several times to maintain the authenticity of the stone structures and clean moss that could damage the building materials. Although the surrounding environment has transformed into an urban area of Banda Aceh, the local government continues to preserve this area as a green open space and a cultural heritage site.

This site is also one of the main historical tourist attractions for domestic and international tourists who wish to learn about Aceh's past. Its survival intact after the 2004 tsunami is considered a miracle by the local community and proof of the resilience of past architecture.

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Unique Facts and Symbolism

One unique fact about Gunongan is its function as a vertically designed recreational place. In the past, the consort and her ladies-in-waiting would climb the tiers of Gunongan as a simulation of climbing a real mountain.

Symbolically, Gunongan is a manifestation of "Mount Meru" in ancient cosmology, adapted into Acehnese Islamic culture as a symbol of stability and closeness to the creator. Meanwhile, Pinto Khop symbolizes the protection and privacy of women within the palace environment.

To this day, Taman Sari Gunongan and Pinto Khop stand as an eternal monument that encapsulates the tenderness of love amidst the harshness of war history, and serves as a reminder that Aceh once possessed a highly advanced civilization in terms of urban planning and landscape architecture.