Istana Basa Pagaruyung

( Pagaruyung Palace )

Description

Pagaruyung Palace (Minangkabau: Istano Basa Pagaruyuang) is the istana (royal palace) of the former Pagaruyung Kingdom, located in Tanjung Emas subdistrict near Batusangkar town, Tanah Datar Regency, West Sumatra, Indonesia. It was built in the traditional Minangkabau Rumah Gadang vernacular architectural style but had several atypical elements including a three-story structure and a larger dimension in comparison to common rumah gadang.

Since the Pagaruyung Kingdom was disbanded in 1833, no king or royal family resides in the palace today, but it is still held in high esteem among Minangkabau people, as the descendants of scattered Minang nobles (bangsawan) still find roots and links to the former royal house of Pagaruyung. The palace has been destroyed by fire several times, in 1804, 1966, and 2007. It has been rebuilt again and today functions as a museum and popular tourist attraction.