Denpasar is the city that shares the rich culture of Balinese and numerous architectural wonders. It’s the capital city of Bali and the nearest airport is Ngurah Rai International Airport is 10 minutes away from the main city. The harbor that connects the city by waterways is 10km from the city center and the city also has Bus Rapid Transit. The city is mainly traveled by visitors from December to January, and the rainy season starts from October to March. Denpasar has a tropical climate with consistently warm temperatures. Annual Bali Festival is the most celebrated festival which is held from June to July.
1. Blanjong Temple
Blanjong Temple is one of the main National Heritage Sites of Bali. The temple has the Blanjong pillar dating back from 914 CE established by Sri KesariWarmadewa, the 1st king of the Balinese Warmadewa dynasty which carries information about his military campaigns. The temples have an inscription in Indian Sanskrit and Old Balinese and reflect the Balinese Architectural style.
2. Patal Temple
It is a small seaside temple in Sanur village. It has nine shrines and has pavilions to play and preserve relics. The doorway and the courtyard are extraordinarily curved and eye-catching. This temple is maintained and preserved by the local people.
3. DalemPengembak Temple
It’s a seaside temple, where a ritual of melukat is usually performed which means purification of soul and independence from negative energy. It is surrounded by mangroves trees and this temple is usually packed by worshipers during the full moon and special days.
4. Bali Museum
Bali Museum is a museum that preserves the arts and history of Bali. It was built by architect P.J. Moojen in 1931 near the former Royal Palace of Denpasar. The museum is divided into four main buildings, Tabanan– theatrical masks and musical instruments, Karangasem- sculptures and paintings, Buleleng– textiles, and Timur– archaeological finds. It is on the East Side of Central Square of Denpasar city.
5. Museum Agung Bung Karno
On the right of Denpasar City Center is the Museum Agung Bung Karno. It is a four-storey building, which consists of books, photographs, paintings, and artifacts related to Indonesia’s first President, Ir Soekarno. It is built so that our generation can follow his words and take inspiration from him.
6. Taman WerdhiBudaya Art Centre
Taman WerdhiBudaya Art Centre is the main center for the Annual Bali Festival. It was built by architect Ida BagusTugur, and it came into active use from 1976. It’s a vast area that includes the Art Museum, and Amphitheatre of 6000 people capacity. It is a place that holds up the Balinese culture, art forms, and the Palace architecture.
7. Upside Down World
Upside Down World is a photo studio with such an arrangement that helps to get to photo like zero gravitation. The studio has a Living room, Master bedroom, Kids room, 3D room, Kitchen, Laundry, Bathroom and toilet, and Room in the Balinese garden. It’s one of the beloved places enjoyed by every traveler and architects must take inspiration from it.
8. Fingerprint Painting Museum
Fingerprint Painting Museum is a museum where artworks by Mr. NgurahGedePemecutan are collected. The origin of this technique of painting is also accidental like the most important inventions of humankind, the Mr. NgurahGedePemecutan was painting a Baris Dance painting and he tried fingertips to make it satisfactory results. After that, he reduced the works on brush tips and used more fingerprints in his painting.
9. Kertalangu Cultural Village
Kertalangu Cultural Village covers an area of 80 hectares of land where tourists will get facilities like a 4km Jogging track in between the rice fields, Bali Handicraft Center, Fishing Pond, Hermitage of Kertalangu Cultural Village, Spa & Beauty Salon, Open Stage, Restaurant, and a Photo Studio. Here the tourist can come to know about Balinese culture, the ecosystem they live in, and to experience it at the same time.
10. Bajra Sandhi Monument
Bajra Sandhi Monument is a monument built in 1987 that reflects the struggles by Balinese people all through history. The building is based on the architectural principle of “Tri Mandala”. The Tri Mandalas are Utama Mandala (main building at the center), Madya Mandala (inner courtyard in the periphery of the Utama Mandala), and Nista Mandala (the outer courtyard in the periphery of the Madya Mandala).
11. Pemecutan Palace
Pemecutan Palace is one of the living palaces that are open to tourists and maintained by King of Denpasar Ida CokordaPemecutan XII. This Palace was built in the 16th century with a traditional Balinese architectural style. Living quarters and the place of worship are the two main parts of the Palace. It is located at Thamrin Street which is 200m away from Puputan Square.
12. Pura Agung Jagatnatha Temple
Pura Agung Jagatnatha Temple is the largest temple in the region made in the Balinese architectural style. The temple has the Padmasana which represents the three parts of the Balinese universe and the wall of the temple depicts scenes from Ramayana and Mahabharata. The Padmasana which is made up of white coral depicts it has the spiritual significance of the highest order.
13. Pura Maospahit
Pura Maospahit was built in the 13th century AD when Majapahit came from Java. This temple is built on the concept of Penca Mandela, which means five Mandela. Candi RarasMaospahit is the main shrine of the temple complex which is a large red-brick building with two terracotta statues at the entrance.
14. Pura Tambang Badung
Pura Tambang Badung is one of the oldest temples in the city of Denpasar. It is located in a very strategic location so that it could be reached easily from the market. It’s a temple representing the Old Balinese architectural style and the form is made from the Mandela concept.
15. Saint Joseph’s Church
Saint Joseph’s Church is a Roman Catholic Church made in the Balinese architectural style. It was established on July 10, 1950, and it was promoted to Diocese of Denpasar on January 3, 1961.
The city of Denpasar has a very rich cultural history from the medieval era. Most of the temples and the modern buildings are based on the Balinese Architectural style. For an architect, this place will open a new world to learn about earthquake-resistant structural systems and sustainable building materials and construction.
