Sumbawa Besar: Palaces and Settlement History

Different chapters of local history stand side by side in Sumbawa Besar: wooden palaces, a house dedicated as a museum, a building with colonial architecture adapted to tropical conditions, and a settlement history dating back to the 17th century. The historic sites can be distinguished by their architectural form, period, and later function. If you are looking for a hotel in Sumbawa Besar, this cultural context offers an additional point of reference when choosing your destination.

Wooden Palaces and Architectural History

Istana Dalam Loka is a wooden palace built around 1885 during the reign of Sultan Muhammad Jalaluddin Syah III. The building is a 904-square-meter stilt house made of teak; it was renovated in 1985. The term “stilt house” refers to its elevated design, while teak indicates the material. Together with its area, these details help convey the scale of the wooden palace. The approximate construction date and later renovation mark distinct periods in its history.

Bala Datu Ranga was built in 1886 and was the second-largest wooden house after Istana Dalam Loka. It features distinctive Sumbawa architecture. The construction dates of the two wooden buildings are close together: Istana Dalam Loka was built around 1885, and Bala Datu Ranga in 1886. This proximity in time connects the architectural history of the two buildings, while Bala Datu Ranga’s museum designation adds a distinct layer of remembrance. The conversion of Bala Datu Ranga house into a museum began in 2022. It is dedicated to the memory of Abdul Madjid Daeng Matutu, the last prime minister of the Sultanate of Sumbawa. The Bala Datu Ranga Museum is recognized by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Indonesia and registered in the National Museum Database as a museum in the province of West Nusa Tenggara.

Architecture, Ceremonies, and Use

Istana Bala Kuning offers a different architectural emphasis: its colonial architecture is adapted to tropical conditions. In 2011, the ceremonies for the enthronement of the XVIII Sultan of Sumbawa, Dewa Masmawa Sultan Muhammad Kaharuddin IV, were held here. By decree of the Regent of Sumbawa No. 1316 of 2022, Istana Bala Kuning was declared a cultural heritage site. The years refer to different events: 2011 to the enthronement ceremonies, and 2022 to its designation as a cultural heritage site.

Istana Bala Puti is also part of the history of the Sultanate of Sumbawa: the Sultanate handed the palace over to the government. Today, the building is used by the Sumbawa Regency Government as Wisma Daerah; this use may change. The handover and its present use mark different phases in the building’s history.

A Settlement History That Predates the Palaces

Kelurahan Bugis is one of the oldest settlement areas in Sumbawa Besar; its origins date back to the 17th century. This settlement history began considerably earlier than the construction of the wooden houses around 1885 and 1886. The historical perspective therefore extends beyond individual palaces to include a much older development of the area.

Discover more destinations: Sakra, Bima, Selong Belanak, Batu Layar, Dompu, Sekotong Tengah, Mataram, Pujut

Return to the regional travel overview: West Nusa Tenggara.