Thursday, February 5, 2009

CIPANAS PALACE

istana cipanas
Cipanas Presidential Palace is located in Cipanas Village, Pacet Sub District, Cianjur Regency, at the foot of Mountain Gede, West Java, reconstructed from a “bantunan” (a house of landlord) built in 1740 by a Dutch landlord named Van Heots, 1,100 meters above sea level on approximately 26 acres of land and the building is 7,760 meters per square. In 1916, when the Dutch governed, three buildings were constructed and until now they are called Pavilion Yudistira, Pavilion Bima and Pavilion Arjuna. In 1954, when the first Indonesian President, Ir. Soekarno governed, a building doted by stones was built (Bentol Building).

The palace was encircled by beatiful natural surrounding, blessed with fresh cool air and Mountain Gede as its background. In the forest of the palace, until 2001, according to a catalog composed alphabetically, which was published by the Presidential Palace in cooperation with LIPI (the national scientific Council), live 1,334 speciments, 171 species, 132 “marga” and 61 tribes. Other than beautiful natural surrounding, the palace have plenty natural warm water. The palace serves as a resting house for the president, the vice president and their family as well as a place to spend the night for visiting heads of states. In 1971, Queen Yuliana spent time visiting the palace.

Bentol Building

Bentol Building is situated behind the main buildings, on the slope of the mountain, therefore it is taller than the other buildings, and it is a product of two Indonesian architects: R.M. Soedarsono and F. Silaban. The atmosphere is quiet and serene and these qualities were beneficial for President Soekarno in formulating plans and strategies in leading the nation, which were manifested in a state speech delivered in every commemoration day of the proclamation of independence.

President’s Bathing Facility

At the back of the main buildings, several other buildings exist, but the most influential entity for Cipanas Presidential Palace is the source of hot water, which is rich with minerals.
The hot water is good for health, therefore two buildings were built to accommodate the stream of the hot water. One of the building is specially provided as a bathing facility for the president, the vice president and their family, while the other one goes for the group of staff accompanying the president and the vice president.

cipanas palace