Under a bright Java sky, the facade of the Taman Sari, the former water palace of the Sultan of Yogyakarta, unfolds in all its symbolic splendour. Above the archway, a large sculpted face, half-smiling, half-threatening, seems to be watching over the passageway. This ornamental mask, surrounded by delicately chiselled floral motifs, represents a spiritual guardian, protector of the place and the secrets it harbours.
The ochre stone, worn by time, blends with the tropical greenery that invades the walls. Together, they create a rare harmony between nature and architecture. This gateway, once reserved for the royal family, opened onto a network of pools, gardens and pavilions designed for the sultan's relaxation and meditation.
The photograph captures both the symbolic force and the gentleness of detail: the power of the sculpted gaze, the fragility of the frangipani flowers, the warm midday light. Here, the Taman Sari doesn't just tell the story of a palace: it embodies the living memory of a culture, a blend of beauty, mystery and spirituality.
Passionate about photography, I travel the world in search of the most beautiful shots.
Currently in Thailand..
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Netherlands
Germany
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Germany
Netherlands
Netherlands
Netherlands
Germany
Germany
Germany
Germany