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.