The ancient gardens described and analysed by Denys Lombard in this study - mainly Sunyaragi in Cirebon and Taman Sari in Yogyakarta, but also others from Banten in West Java up to Bali and Lombok - are not natural spaces domesticated and adorned for the purpose of providing comfort and beauty. Rather, secluded behind walls and made up of buildings and pools -symbolizing the primeval mountain and the sea - they are places where the king could retreat, meditate, and display his divine nature.
Abundantly ilustrated with photographs, maps, and sketches, this book will be as useful to visitors as it will be of interest for all lovers of Javanse culture