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Bali Hotel

Bali Heritage Hotel, previously known as Bali Hotel, is the oldest tourist accommodation in Bali, built in 1927 by the Dutch colonial government. Initially, the hotel was used as a resting place for crew members from the Dutch shipping company KPM (Koninklijke Paketvaart Maatschappij) who docked in Bali. The Bali Hotel began operating in 1928 after being handed over by the Dutch Government to KPM.

The Inna Bali Heritage Hotel is a complex of buildings located on both sides of Veteran Street. The hotel area on the west side of the street was built with European architectural design, evident in the lobby building, front office, kitchen, dining room, and accommodations. The part of the hotel located on the east side of the street includes a multifunctional building and bedrooms. One of the special rooms of this hotel is Suite No. 77, the favorite resting place of the first President of Indonesia, Ir. Soekarno.

The Bali Hotel is a testament to the blend of traditional Balinese culture and modern comfort. The hotel showcases architecture inspired by the unique cultural heritage of Bali and colonial-era modernity. Walter Spies, Colin McPhee, Jane Belo, Miguel Covarrubias, Margaret Mead, Gregory Bateson, and Charlie Chaplin are among the artists and foreign scientists who often gathered at this legendary hotel in the 1930s.

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Sisi Barat Jalan Gajah Mada, Patung Kala Tri Semaya dan Dewi Melanting

Gajah Mada Street is an icon of Denpasar City. One doesn't feel like they've visited Denpasar until they've set foot on Gajah Mada Street. During the colonial era, Gajah Mada Street was the main access for the community, and it was the embryo for the development of Denpasar's tourism. The main attraction of Gajah Mada Street, of course, is its historical side, shown by the old buildings on both sides. As such, it has been designated as a heritage or cultural heritage area since 2008.

Since colonial times, Gajah Mada Street has been a commercial area with a strong multicultural characteristic. Here, traders of Chinese, Arab, Indian, Madurese, and Javanese descent have become accustomed to living harmoniously side by side. Denpasar city residents also remember Gajah Mada Street as an entertainment center, especially for film. Several cinemas are located along Gajah Mada Street, such as Wisnu Theater at the western end of Gajah Mada Street, Hollywood Theater, which later became Indra Djaja, and then Indra Theater at the western intersection of Gajah Mada Street.

In 1964, a cultural festival event titled Gajah Mada Festival was held on Gajah Mada Street. In the texts of Indonesian and Modern Balinese literary works, the existence of Gajah Mada Street is described as an area that "never sleeps."

A pair of giant-shaped statues on Gajah Mada Street, near the Tukad Badung bridge and in front of Badung Market, are visualizations of Sang Kala Tri Semaya. The 3-meter-high statue weighing 3.3 tons was completed on November 29, 2021, and installed on the night of November 30, 2021, and ceremoniously inaugurated in mid-December 2021, coinciding with the Denpasar Festival. This piece of art is the work of Denpasar city artist, I Nyoman Gede Sentana Putra, or familiarly called Kedux, who completed the statue in three months, assisted by his colleagues from Tabanan and Gianyar.

The mastermind behind these artistic marvels is none other than a distinguished artist of Denpasar, I Nyoman Gede Sentana Putra, affectionately known as Kedux. This monumental project, realized over three painstaking months, was a collaborative effort, aided by Kedux's talented associates hailing from Tabanan and Gianyar.

In addition to the Sang Kala Trisemaya statue on Gajah Mada Street, in the Badung Market area, there is also a statue of Ida Ratu Mas Melanting. This statue was installed together with the Sang Kala Trisemaya statue on November 30, 2021. The statue, which is 4.5 meters high and 1.5 meters wide, is the work of Putu Marmar Herayukti, who is known as an ogoh-ogoh artist and a tattoo artist from Banjar Gemeh, Dauh Puri Kangin Village, Denpasar.

The creator intended the Ida Ratu Mas Melanting statue to be an icon of prosperity for the people in Denpasar City. There is a special message that the creator wants to convey through this statue, namely the important principles in trade and life, which are fairness, honesty, and quality.

In traditional literary texts, the figure of Ida Ratu Mas Melanting is said to be the daughter of Dang Hyang Nirarta, a holy sage from East Java who helped build Hindu civilization in Bali. Ratu Ayu Mas Melanting's real name is Ida Ayu Swabhawa. This figure is portrayed as having a wise and intelligent character, and she is an expert in trade. The beauty and character of Ida Ayu Swabhawa made her popular among her customers and she became a role model for people who work as traders. For this reason, the people of Bali continue to honor Ratu Ayu Mas Melanting to this day. She is considered a symbol of the intellectual capacity of Balinese women in the field of entrepreneurship.

Source: Google Maps

Source: Google Maps

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Thamrin Street: A Hub of Commerce and Trade

Thamrin Street serves as a vibrant commercial and service district, acting as a transitional corridor between the bustling trade center of Denpasar City and its predominantly residential neighborhoods. Puri Agung Pemecutan, a site of significant cultural and historical value, can be found here. Moreover, numerous offices and commercial establishments, including the famed Lokitasari shopping complex, line the street.

In addition to its commercial prominence, Thamrin Street is now synonymous with the Denpasar Cineplex, a key entertainment destination. A predecessor to this venue, the Wisata 21 cinema from the Cineplex 21 network, had been in operation since 1986. However, it was closed in 2008 following the downturn in the cinema industry. Recognizing the resurgent demand for cinema facilities among Denpasar's population, the Denpasar Cineplex was inaugurated in 2013 and continues to operate to this day.

Originally known as Gambuh Street, this thoroughfare underwent a name change in 1964 as part of a citywide renaming initiative. The government of the day restructured Denpasar's street names into four categories: fruit names for the Northeast sector, hero names for the Southeast, names of islands and mountains for the Southwest, and artistic names for the Northwest. This renaming process was covered extensively in the Suara Indonesia newspaper (now the Bali Post), beginning with the May 29, 1964 edition. While numerous streets were renamed during this period, Gajah Mada Street was a notable exception.

Consequently, Gambuh Street, located in the Southeast sector, was renamed Thamrin Street in honor of one of Indonesia's national heroes.

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Hasanuddin Street

Upon crossing the southern end of Sulawesi Street, visitors find themselves on Hasanuddin Street. While Sulawesi Street is renowned as a hub for textile trade, Hasanuddin Street is distinguished for its gold trading. This street is lined with numerous gold shops, each offering an array of quality gold jewelry.Upon crossing the southern end of Sulawesi Street, visitors find themselves on Hasanuddin Street. While Sulawesi Street is renowned as a hub for textile trade, Hasanuddin Street is distinguished for its gold trading. This street is lined with numerous gold shops, each offering an array of quality gold jewelry.

The jewelry shops scattered along Hasanuddin Street typically open from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. local time. These shops deal in gold of diverse grades, from low to high. In addition to selling gold, the shops on Hasanuddin Street also purchase gold from customers wishing to sell their gold jewelry.The jewelry shops scattered along Hasanuddin Street typically open from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. local time. These shops deal in gold of diverse grades, from low to high. In addition to selling gold, the shops on Hasanuddin Street also purchase gold from customers wishing to sell their gold jewelry.

Beyond its identity as a gold trading center, the Hasanuddin Street area also offers a view of Tukad Badung, a river that bisects the Badung Market. From the vantage point of the bridge, visitors can appreciate the beauty of Tukad Badung, now a budding tourist attraction in the city of Denpasar.

By taking a left at the western four-way intersection on Hasanuddin Street, visitors will wind their way through the Bukit Tunggal Street area. This area is home to several Melati hotels, which are popular choices among domestic tourists.

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Rsi Statue at Suci Intersection

Upon reaching the junction of Diponegoro Street, Hasanuddin Street, and Sumatra Street, visitors are greeted by a statue standing majestically at the intersection's center. This statue depicts an Rsi, or priest, carrying a ceremonial bell, referred to as a 'genta'. Locally, it's often called the Rsi Statue. The Rsi, or priest, holds a place of great reverence within the religious fabric of Balinese society.

The Rsi Statue has roots tracing back to the 1920s, as indicated by Dutch photographs from that era, making the statue nearly a century old. Although the statue's current positioning is elevated, it was initially installed at road level.

The Rsi Statue serves as an emblematic icon of the Suci district. Once upon a time, the Suci area functioned as a terminal for both intra-city and inter-city transportation, a fuel station, and a lively local market. Today, this bustling area has transformed into the Suci Plaza shopping complex, brimming with a multitude of gold shops.

Historically, this locale served as the vibrant hub of Denpasar's nightlife. Moreover, it birthed the term 'nasi jingo' (a local culinary delicacy), thus earning its place on Denpasar's gastronomic map. During daylight hours, the Suci district operated as a terminal for intra-city and inter-city transportation. From the 1970s to the 1980s, city transport was catered to by the three-wheeled vehicles known as 'bemo'. Moreover, the Suci terminal also housed minibuses that serviced routes to Tabanan and Negara.

In the 1980s, as part of a comprehensive plan to beautify and modernize Denpasar, the Suci terminal underwent a transformation into the multi-storied shopping complex known as Suci Plaza. Its lower level was repurposed as an underground parking space. Post-transformation, the Suci district, especially Hasanuddin Street, evolved into a gold-specialized shopping complex.

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Bali Museum

Situated south of Pura Jagatnatha, the Bali Museum stands as the oldest museum in Bali. Its establishment dates back to 1910, spearheaded by Assistant Resident WFJ Kroon, local leaders, and renowned Balinese artists I Gusti Ketut Kandel from Banjar Abasan and I Gusti Ketut Rai from Banjar, alongside German architect Curt Grundler. The museum's architecture skillfully blends the structural elements of pura (sacred places) and puri (palaces).

By 1925, a long pavilion styled after the Karangasem tradition had been successfully constructed at the complex's center, serving as an emblem of East Bali's architectural flair. This structure bifurcates into two areas: the external and internal sections. The open veranda in the front section offers a place of respite for museum visitors, while the inner space is purposed for exhibitions.

Subsequently, the construction of two additional structures, namely the Tabanan and Buleleng Buildings, was completed. Situated to the north of the Karangasem Building, the Tabanan Building emulates a meru design with a tiered roof composed of black aren fibers, embodying the architectural artistry of South Bali. Conversely, the Buleleng Building, positioned to the south of the Karangasem Building, is also fashioned in the likeness of a meru. This structure is supported by 33 sesaka, wooden beams intricately carved with Pepatraan motifs and adorned with prada. The building features four doors, each aligned with a cardinal direction. At the room's center stands a tugeh, a roof-supporting pole topped with a winged lion statue (Singamara), a symbol of the Buleleng Regency.

Initially under the stewardship of the Bali Museum Foundation, the Bali Museum was officially inaugurated on December 8, 1932. After Indonesia's independence, the museum's management was transferred to the Indonesian Government on January 5, 1966. The Bali Museum boasts a diverse collection that spans prehistoric artifacts, historical era relics, and ethnographic objects.

 

 

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Gajah Mada Street (East)

Gajah Mada Street is an iconic landmark in Denpasar City. One's visit to Denpasar is often considered incomplete without setting foot on Gajah Mada Street. During the colonial era, Gajah Mada Street was the primary public thoroughfare and served as the nascent heart of Denpasar's burgeoning tourism sector. The street's main allure is undoubtedly its historical essence, evidenced by the presence of old buildings lining both sides, which led to its designation as a cultural heritage zone in 2008.

Since colonial times, Gajah Mada Street has been a commercial hub with a rich multicultural character. Here, merchants of Chinese, Arabian, Indian, Madurese, and Javanese descent have coexisted harmoniously. Denpasar City's residents also remember Gajah Mada Street as an entertainment center, particularly for movies. Along Gajah Mada Street, several cinemas once stood, including Wisnu Theater at the western end of the street and Hollywood Theater, later renamed Indra Djaja, and Indra Theater at the western intersection of Gajah Mada Street.

In the 1960s, a cultural festival named the Gajah Mada Festival was held on Gajah Mada Street. The street's vibrant, bustling character is often depicted in Indonesian and modern Balinese literary texts as a district that "never sleeps".

Source Image Cover: Google Maps

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Pura Agung Jagatnata, Denpasar City

Pura Agung Jagatnata, located in Denpasar City, was established in 1968. Recognized as a public temple, its official inauguration took place during a minor pamlaspas ceremony on Purnama Jyestha, May 13, 1968. The temple's primary structure is a padmasana, or temple throne, which stands at an impressive 15 meters tall and faces west. This is notably the tallest and largest padmasana found within Denpasar City.

This hallowed sanctuary, constructed from white coral stone, showcases detailed carvings on its tower section. These carvings depict the face and hands of Bhoma, a figure known as the son of the earth in Hindu mythology. Pura Agung Jagatnata, being a public temple, serves as a spiritual magnet, regularly attracting Hindu devotees from various parts of Denpasar City and its neighboring regions. It witnesses a significant influx of devotees, especially on Purnama (full moon) and Tilem (new moon) days. In addition, the temple serves as a recurring host for a literary discussion event called "Purnama Badrawada", further adding to its cultural significance.

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Lapangan Puputan Badung(I Gusti Ngurah Made Agung)

Puputan Badung Square, alternatively known as I Gusti Ngurah Made Agung Square, holds a profound historical significance as it was the site of the Puputan Badung, a heroic event that occurred on September 20, 1906. Originally a town square, this site witnessed an epic showdown where the King of Badung, I Gusti Ngurah Made Agung, also known as Tjokorda Mantuk ring Rana (the king who fell on the battlefield), led his kinfolk and subjects in a fierce and decisive battle, referred to as 'matelasan' or 'puputan' (meaning 'the end'), against the invading Dutch forces.

The Puputan-Badung War stands as a testament to the unwavering resistance of the king and the people of Badung against Dutch colonial rule. This battle was incited by the Dutch demands for the King of Badung to provide compensation for the supposed seizure of the Sri Komala ship at Sanur Beach. In defiance, King I Gusti Ngurah Made Agung rejected these demands, choosing to fight to the death instead. The palace of I Gusti Ngurah Made Agung, originally named Puri Denpasar, is situated to the north of the former town square, now known as Puputan Badung Square. After its Dutch occupation, the palace was repurposed as the office and residence of the Assistant Resident of Bali and Lombok. Following Indonesia's independence, it became the Governor of Bali's official residence, now known as Jaya Sabha.

Beyond its commemoration in the square's name, I Gusti Ngurah Made Agung is also honored with a statue situated at the Banjar Taensiat intersection in Denpasar, approximately 800 meters north of the Catur Muka statue. This monument depicts King I Gusti Ngurah Made Agung holding a lontar (palm leaf manuscript), embodying his dual legacy as both a king and a renowned Balinese literati. His traditional literary works are acclaimed for their high literary merit and profound philosophical values. Along Veteran Street, which links the Catur Muka statue with the I Gusti Ngurah Made Agung statue, stands Puri Agung Satria, the residence of the descendants of the Badung kings from Puri Denpasar. Also on this route, the Satria Market, famed as Bali's largest bird market, is located.

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Patung Catur Muka – Lonceng Kolonial Belanda

Located at the eastern end of Gajah Mada Street in Denpasar City is the significant landmark, the Catur Muka statue. Positioned at the central four-way intersection known as the catus patha, this monument's inception followed the official endorsement of the Badung Regency's emblem by the Regional House of Representatives and subsequent approval by the Ministry of Home Affairs on July 17, 1971.

The creation of the statue was a collaborative effort involving I Wayan Limbak, a temple priest from Samuan Tiga, who received support from architects I Gusti Aji Madongan, I Gusti Ngurah Cangbe, and I Nyoman Suka.

The statue, a nine-meter-tall edifice carved from granite, features four faces, each embodying a unique quality and representing the deity Brahma. The eastern face, known as Shanghyang Iswara, symbolizes wisdom, while the western face, known as Sanghyang Mahadewa, represents compassion. The northern face, referred to as Sanghyang Wisnu, signifies strength and the purification of the human soul, and the southern face, or Sanghyang Brahma, symbolizes tranquility and peacekeeping.

Additionally, there is a large bell clock from the colonial era displayed to the southeast of the Catur Muka statue. Installed by the Dutch government in 1908, this clock marks Denpasar's evolution and modernization. It stands as a representation of colonial-style time standardization and signifies the city's transformation from a royal to a colonial city.