Sights in Mataram
- Sort by:
- Popular
-
A
Pura Meru
Pura Meru, is the largest temple in Lombok. Built in 1720 by Balinese prince Anak Agung Made Karang of the Singosari kingdom in an attempt to unite Lombok, it's dedicated to the Hindu trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva.
The outer courtyard has a hall housing the wooden drums that are beaten to call believers to ceremonies (the June full moon is the most important of these). The inner court has one large and 33 small shrines, as well as three meru (multi-roofed shrines), which are in a line: the central meru, with 11 tiers, is Shiva's house; the meru to the north, with nine tiers, is Vishnu's; and the seven-tiered meru to the south is Brahma's. The meru are also said to r…
reviewed
-
B
Mayura Water Palace
This palace was built in 1744, and was once part of the Balinese kingdom's royal court in Lombok. It's a pleasant retreat now, popular with fishermen and families, but in 1894 it was the site of bloody battles between the Dutch and Balinese. The complex contains a large artificial lake, with a modest replica of a bale kambang (floating pavilion) in its centre, connected to the shoreline by a raised footpath. The original pavilion was a court of justice.
You'll find that the entrance to the walled enclosure of the palace is on the western side, off Jl Selaparang.
reviewed
-
C
Museum Negeri Nusa Tenggara Barat
This modern museum has exhibits on the geology, history and culture of Lombok and Sumbawa. If you intend on buying antiques or handicrafts, take a look at the kris (traditional daggers), songket (silver- or gold-threaded cloth), basketware and masks for comparison.
reviewed
-
Po Hwa Kong
Reflecting the religious diversity of the island, this historic Chinese Buddhist temple (built in 1806) acts as a spiritual centre for believers of all faiths, including Hindus, Christians and Muslims. Inside the compound there's a classically Chinese combination of dragons, gods and clouds of sweet incense. Make a donation and the whippet-thin, kretek cigarette-puffing guardian will give you a personal fortune reading (in Bahasa Indonesia only). It's just east of the port in Ampenan.
reviewed
