Mataram

Mataram is the largest city on Lombok and the capital of West Nusa Tenggara province.

Mayura Garden Taman Mayura is a water palace built in 1744. This was a location of some of the fierce battles that took place between Dutch and Balinese forces in 1894.

Narmada Park (Taman Narmada). Located 10 km east of Mataram, was the relaxation place for the king during the time of feudalism. This park has a Hindu temple and swimming pool. It also has a fountain which is called “Youth Fountain”, believed to give long life to a person that drinks its water. The venue has a feel of celebration about it especially on Sundays and is very popular with the people of Lombok who flock there to picnic and swim in a large swimming pool fed by fresh water forest springs. It is a great place to see Lombok people at play.

Museum Negeri Nusa Tenggara Barat, museum has exhibits on the geology, history and culture of Lombok and nearby Sumbaw.

The Sasak people are the indigenous people of Lombok and form the majority of Mataram’s residents. Mataram is also home to people of Baliese, Javanese, Chinese, Tionghoa-peranakan people of mixed Indonesian and Chinese descent and small number of Arab Indonesian people, mainly of Yemeni descent who settled in the early port city of Ampenan. Although urban dwellers the Sasak people of Mataram still identify strongly with their origins and the Sasak culture. The outbreak of riots in Lombok 17 January 2000 is considered to have been initiated by outside influences. After the troubles passed Mataram’s community returned to living in relative harmony.

Horse carts known as cidomo remain a common means of transport in Mataram and they are often found operating throughout the congested streets near a pasar or produce market. Public bemos and metered taxis are more commonly used for transport in and around Mataram.