This impressive, well-tended palace complex on the edge of the village of Pematang Purba was the home of the Simalungan Batak chiefs until 1947 when the last one died. Public transport to the site is scarce, but it’s an easy stop-off on a journey between Berastagi and Danau Toba by private car.
The site consists of a large main building that functioned as the king’s quarters and a harem. The buffalo skulls inside the main building symbolise the power of the chief. The remainder of the complex consists of meeting halls, assistants’ houses and rice-storage areas.
