Bali - Puri Gede Buleleng

It was a quiet palace with history and memories whispered from every corner — from the intricate wooden carvings on the gate, the faint old photographs hung on the wall, to the old typewriter that once was graced by the fingers of a great writer.

Puri Gede Buleleng, or also known as Puri Agung Singaraja, was first constructed in 1604 by Ki Gusti Anglurah Pandji Sakti, the founder of Singaraja kingdom. In local lore, Pandji Sakti is known as a great king with mighty power and even mightier ambition. During his reign, the army of Buleleng crossed Bali Strait in the West to conquer Blambangan in Java; navigated the hilly terrain in the south to invade Tabanan, and so impressed the powerful king of Mataram in Java that he sent an elephant as a gift to Pandji Sakti.

In 20th century Indonesia, the palace was the home to Anak Agung Pandji Tisna, the last king of the Pandji Sakti lineage. Unlike his predecessor, Pandji Tisna was not a man of brute force. He placed his trust in his writings, penning, among others, Sukreni Gadis Bali, one of the most influential literary works of contemporary Bali. He abdicated the throne in 1947 following his decision to convert to Christianity.

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