Bogor Palace, Gardens offer free entrance

The Jakarta Post ,  Jakarta   |  Sat, 05/27/2006 12:22 PM  |  Jakarta

Theresia Sufa, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

In commemoration of Bogor regency's 525th anniversary, the administration will open the gates to the Bogor Palace and Bogor Botanical Gardens to the public free of charge from May 29 to June 5.

""This is a chance to get a closer look at the interior of the palace without going through the customary procedures,"" Bogor Anniversary Committee chairman Tri Irianto said.

Registration for people interested in visiting the two locations has already begun at Bogor City Hall, and will continue until June 5.

Tri said there would be no limitation on the number of people in a tour group, and that one person could represent a group in registering and putting down the names of its members.

Visitors, however, are required to bring along their identity card and observe a dress code to gain entry to the palace, which means no jeans or sandals. Photographs are also strictly prohibited.

Bogor Palace is one of six state palaces and has a unique historical background.

It was once called Buitenzorg or San Souci, a resting villa for Dutch Governor General G.W. Baron van Imhoff in the 18th century.

Until the end of the 19th century, the palace was home to several Dutch governor generals. When the country gained its independence, Bogor Palace became an office for its presidents.

State functions at Bogor Palace only stopped in 1968 under former president Soeharto, and limited public tours were permitted.

Visitors to the palace are estimated to reach some 10,000 people a year.

The adjoining Bogor Botanical Gardens was established in May 18, 1817, by German C.G.L. Reindwardt who called it Lands Plantentuinte Buitenzorg.

Many locals believe, however, that the original garden was in fact the Samida garden mentioned in the ancient Batutulis monument edict, which was erected by Padjajaran Kingdom's king Prabu Siliwangi between 1474 and 1513.

Samida is believed to have been an artificial forest made by the king to preserve various rare plant species.

Today's Bogor Botanical Gardens is indeed the place to admire and study large numbers of rare plant species. It also serves as a beautiful recreation site for the family. (01)

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