Bali has total area about 5,780 square kilometers, the island of Bali is mountainous in the centre with a cluster of volcanoes. Gunung Agung, the highest mountain on the island, is located 3,031 meters above sea level in the Northeast of Bali. Locals call it "The Mother Mountain", a symbol of the human spirit. Gunung Agung has the most amazing vistas to behold.
A very important temple to the Balinese is Pura Besakih (Mother Temple of Besakih) located on the slopes of Gunang Agung, the entrance is an imposing Candi Bentar (Split Gateway) and beyond it the even more impressive Kori Agung which is the gateway to the second courtyard. There are specific rules around the dress code to enter any temple, check with the locals.
Ubud is considered "Artistic Heart of Bali ", many artists from around the world often exhibit here. There are numerous galleries and museums and visitors are often dazzled with the array on offer. Many foreign collectors and artists settle in Ubud and find total inspiration. There has been a merger between Western and Balinese art to create a unique blend, also there are still traditional Balinese paintings to enjoy and purchase.
Klungkung, the province, located in Eastern Bali has the island's highest and historic capital city. Klungkung was the base of the ancient Javanese Hindu Kingdom in Bali, from where the Balinese royalty of today draws its bloodline. It is the oldest kingdom in Bali, with the most exalted Kings. The famous Kertha Gosa or Royal Court of Justice was built in Klungkung in the 18th century and displays a wonderfully crafted ceiling which is one of Bali's masterpieces.
Klungkung architectural history began in the fourteen century with the Gelgel dynasty to be added to in the eighteenth century with Kerta Gosa courthouse, which then became Supreme Court. Kerta Gosa is a great example of traditional Balinese style architecture. Well worth a visit is the Bale Kambang palace, an absolute delight with its historic significance in architecture.
Bali temples - Center of Souls
There are numerous temples in Bali earning it the nickname "the island of a thousand temples". In Balinese the word for temple is Pura, this word also means "Walled City", "Towered City" or "Palace". The temples are the most important places for the local people, as religion plays a very important part in Balinese life. There are two types of gates within temple architecture - the split gate or outer gate known as "Candi Bentar" and the roofed tower gate usually called "Kori Agung" which if present leads to an inner compound. A feature of the temple architecture is the multi-layered roofs which are always odd numbers, the more layers the more respect.
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