Istano Basa Pagaruyung — Attraction in West Sumatra

An ancient palace with a simple but meaningful carving. This is a well-preserved historical legacy. Even though this palace once burned out but it was rebuilt as it was. Like most royal palaces on the island of Sumatra, Pagaruyung palace is also made of wood with good quality . This palace has the shape like house on stilts with stairs, but not quite high. The characteristic of the Pagaruyung Palace is its unique architecture with a roof that resembles buffalo horn which is made of fibers. This palace has three floors and the interior is decorated with colorful Malay trinkets and ornaments . On the first floor various relics of royal heritage items such as kris (ceremonial knife), musical instruments such as small gongs, pots made of copper, clothing, slippers, sticks, containers for incense, cigarette pipe, copper bowls are displayed. Not to mention mannequins dressed in traditional Minang outfits. On the second floor there is a large empty space and right at the corner there is a bed of the King covered with a mosquito net. On the third floor there are three chairs and one round table and there is also an old wooden wardrobe nearby . The room is so artistic with an old fashioned lamp hanging on its ceiling. The walls are decorated with carvings of yellow, green, brown, black colors with classical nuances. From this third floor visitors can see the incredible scenery in the surrounding. Photographers must love this spot. Spacious gardens on the left, right, front and back of the palace present...

I visited Istano Basa Pagaruyung this week and I was fascinated by its architecture and history. This is a replica of the royal palace of the former Pagaruyung Kingdom, which was the center of Minangkabau culture and civilization. The palace is built in the traditional Minangkabau style, with a three-story structure and a curved roof made from palm fibers. The palace is decorated with carvings that reflect Minang philosophy and values. The palace also serves as a museum that displays replicas of Minang antique furniture and artifacts, as well as information about the history of the Pagaruyung Kingdom and its rulers. I learned a lot about the Minangkabau culture and heritage from this place. The palace is located on a hill near Batusangkar town, which offers a scenic view of the surrounding area. The palace is easy to access by car or public transportation. The entrance fee is affordable and the staff are friendly and helpful. The only drawback is that the palace is not the original one, but a reconstruction that was built after several fires that destroyed the previous ones. Therefore, some of the authenticity and originality might be lost. However, I still appreciate the effort to preserve and promote this cultural treasure. I recommend Istano Basa Pagaruyung to anyone who wants to experience the Minangkabau culture and history. It is a great place to...

Went there on Sunday morning. The parking lot is big but super hot cause there are no trees. It was so quiet, I love the palace. It was so huge. Immediately we were approached by cartoon characters and offered to take pictures with them. Please prepare tips for them! Before you enter the palace, an officer will ask you to remove your shoes/sandals, put them together in a plastic bag, get a numbered ticket for the bag from him and you can get them again after you are done sightseeing the palace. Inside the palace there was not much to see, at least on the ground floor. But you could go to the second floor and maybe to the third. I give it 4 stars because I wish they could show more furniture or something, so we can have a better understanding of the house and can imagine what it's like living inside the house a long time ago. After we saw the kitchen area, we were offered to buy some souvenirs like fridge magnets, some bracelets, postcards, etc. On the side of the palace there is another building similar only smaller, and i don't know what it is for, because it has no door and there was no written information on it. All I could see was an open window at the top where birds could fly in and out. The visit was not exactly what I expected, but...