Gianyar is the administrative centre of the Gianyar District, which also includes Ubud. In the centre of town, across from the large open space known as the Alun Alun, the old palace is little changed from the time the Dutch arrived in the south and the old Kingdoms lost their power. The Gianyar royal family saved their palace by capitulating to the Dutch rather than making a heroic last stand like the other Balinese kingdoms. Despite its relatively original appearance, the palace, dating from 1771, was destroyed in a conflict with the neighbouring kingdom of Klungkung in the mid-1880's and was rebuilt, only to be severely damaged again in the 1917 earthquake. Nevertheless, it's a fine example of traditional palace architecture, surrounded by high brick walls. The royal family still live in the palace, so without formal invitation you can do not more than look in through the gates. Gianyar's warungs are noted for their fine roast piglet known as 'babi guling'. It is advisable to eat early though, as the warungs often have no food left by the afternoon.