Bali Attractions > Bali Historical Places

Klungkung Royal Palace
The Klungkung Palace was built by the Dewa Agung dynasty when the people moved here in 1710. The existing palace, called the Semara Pura, contains a large square with spacious courtyards, lush gardens, pavilions and moats. The palace that you see today is actually a reconstruction, as the Dutch destroyed the original palace and grounds during attacks in 1908. Stone walls with water lilies in the moat surround the very beautiful Taman Gili complex.


Kuta Monuments
Bombing in Kuta on 2002 has devastated both local residents and tourists who love Bali. This monuments is built as a memoar right it the place where the blast from.

The Elephant Cave - Goa Gajah
Is situated on a steep bank to the side of the main road in the Banjar of Goa, Bedaulu Village in the area of Blahbatuh, Gianyar.
It is approximately twenty-six kilometres from Denpasar and is easy to find as it is by the side of the main road, just East of the crossroads in Teges village.

The countryside here is very beautiful and the cave itself is a very important archaeological site, as it holds the remains of an ancient Buddhist monument.
These remains are thought to be of the same era as the grand Borobudur temple in central Java.
Also the site holds relics of the God Shiva.

The origins of the name Goa Gajah are uncertain. Some claim that the name comes from the world 'Lwa Gajah' recorded in ancient Javanese writings saying the cave was the home of an important Buddhist priest.
Another opinion suggests that the name originates from the statue of Gannesha which is located in the western corner of the cave, part of the statue being an elephant's trunk.

The history of Goa Gajah can be seen from the ancient remains at the site.
Besides Shivaist relics found inside the cave, there are several Buddhist remains such as the statues of Buddha and Harito.
These remains appear to be of the same style as the statues found in Borobudur temple, which originates in the eighth century.
Also in the cave can be found the written words 'kumon' and 'sahy' which typifies the square shaped writing of the Kediri from East Java.
So the Elephant Cave appears to have been the centre of religious worship of the God Shiva.

Lovina
It is officially named Kawasan Wisata Kalibukbuk but it is widely called kawasan wisata Lovina. It is not exactly know how Lovina got it's name. It is widely believed thata the name of Lovina was introduced by the late Anak Agung Panji Tista, a writer, the last King of Buleleng who build the first tourist accommodation in the village of Kaliasem later more widely know as “Lovina”. Nowdays Lovina is also interpreted as “Love Ina” short for Love Indonesia . The unofficial nature of the name given to this area accounts for the imprecise borders. Kawasan wisata Kalibukbuk/Lovina is the most developed tourism area. It covers an area of 35.24 sq. kilometers consisting of 6 villages,namely the village of Pemaron , Tukadmungga, Anturan, Kalibukbuk,Kaliasem and temukus. Kalibukbuk is the center of this tourism area, approximately 10 kilometers west of Singaraja. It consists of a narrow strip of land bounded to the north by the Bali Sea and to the south by the chain of volcanic mountains. The mountains provide a spectacular backdrop to the coastal setting.

Panglipuran Heroes Monument
This monument was built in memory of the freedom fighters in the regency of Bangli, commanded by Captain Anak Agung Gde Muditha with 18 Troops. This nine-storied monument was built in 1959, on an area of 1,5 hectare in Balinese style and completed with parking area, a field for ceremony and cura yudha building. This monument was built in Panglipuran village because here in this village Captain Anak Agung Anom Muditha was shot dead by the NICA (Dutch Troop) during the revolution era.

Museum Semarajaya Klungkung
Museum Semarajaya Klungkung is one of tourist objects in a stately hall with the style of unique architecture that is the combination of the old Holland style and Balinese traditional one. The Dutch Government erected the building after the fall of Klungkung Kingdom on April 28, 1908 . it was once in the time of the Netherland-Indie government of former Junior Secondary School (MULO) and afterward that of a local one until 1990.
Appearing conspicuously distinct among other edifices in its neighboring, after it underwent intensive restoration, the government eventually uses it as local Museum. It radiates an attractive charming to everybody particularly to those that chance to visit the Court-Hall and the Floating -Pavilion. The never waste anytime to step their feet on the attractive building enjoying curiosity of the building and what articles are stored in it. The collections stored in here are among others, the prehistoric and Historic goods in particular utilized in the Klungkung Battle to the last blood-shed, locally special masterpieces of Klungkung region, and also the collection of Ambron drawings. It is located at the western annex of the Court-Hall and Floating Pavilion.

Puputan Monument
Situated in the heart of Semarapura to commemorate the puputan (fight to the dead) of Klungkung. A monument, 28 m high, in the shape of Lingga and Yoni pierces the sky in the center of Semarapura town (the former name of Klungkung). The monument was officially dedicated by the Minister of Education and Culture on 28 April 1992 and commemorates the Puputan, or Fight to the Death, that occurred here in the early 1900's. The Royal family and people of Klungkung fought a Last Stand here, resulting in their annihilation. The monument is composed of stone which is black, the color in Hindu philosophy that represents the Puputan, the ending. In the vicinity of the monument, tourists can explore clothing and art shops, souvenir kiosks and the traditional market.

Kerta Gosa and Taman Gili
Royal Courts of Justice pavilions, with their surrounding lotus ponds, are a graceful reminder of the former glory of this kingdom. These pavilions, built in the 18th Century, are located at the main road intersection side of the town of Klungkung (40km from Denpasar). They are especially known for their ceiling murals, painted in the traditional "Wayang" style, depicting the punishments in hell for miscreants, and higher up, the rewards in heaven for those that lead a good and honest life. The courts were presided over by three pedandas (high priest), and continued to fulfill their function through Dutch colonial times. The Kerta was the island's highest court of Justice. The old buildings were renovated and restored in 1960. Behind the Kerta Gosa stands a tall gateway. This gateway is all that remains of what was once the first and most elaborate palace in Bali , which was destroyed by the Dutch artillery when they bombarded the town of Klungkung and Gelgel into submission in 1908. As had happened in other kingdoms in Bali the Dewa Agung led great "Puputan", or ceremonial fight to death, and so ended 600 years of rule in Bali by lineal descendents of the emperors of Majapahit. After this conquest the Dutch had gained control of all of Bali .

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