ARCHITECTURE

Balinese temples are divided into three parts. One inevitably passes through a split gate or Candi Bentar to enter the first courtyard. Then a second gate rising high with the grinning face of a guardian demon leads to the second division. Inside there are numerous pavilions used for various purposes. In the final courtyard one may find the meru pagoda which may have as many as eleven roofs if the owner or temple is important enough. The black thatch is from the sugar palm and can only be used in temples. There will also be numerous sanggah or spirit houses, and pedestals which will be full of offerings on ritual days. All around you, carving in brick, volcanic stone and wood will be apparent. All are ringed by walls. The Balinese have always spent a great deal of energy and money on their temples for it is their duty to repay the ancestors for their prosperity.
Balinese royalty has always felt it imperative that they demonstrate their prosperity and standing by building magnificent palaces. The carved wooden doors of these palaces are especially famous for their beauty. The teak doors of the main palace of Denpasar were so large that they required forty porters to carry them. In the palaces bright colours and gold leaf abound for the display of opulence and even the smallest and most insignificant of details is deemed proof of nobility. Unlike Europe, Balinese palaces are not single huge buildings but rather a collection of numerous structures each with a special function such as the bale gede, an open pavilion of 12 columns, where the oldest male of the family sleeps. During important ceremonies such as tooth filing, this will serve as a place to commune with the ancestors and gods who descend from the heavens to partake of the many offerings placed on the beds. As in the temples, the four directions of the Balinese compass are critical in d etermining the lay-out and positioning of buildings.
Another large and important structure is the wantilan or cock fighting arena. It is called this because at one time cock-fights were frequently held here. It is found near the palace and central market in every traditional village. Nearby stands a kulkul or slit drum tower to call the members of the village together for meetings. The wantilan is also commonly used for performances. Once built entirely of wood, most are made of re-enforced concrete today. The traditional wantilan has also inspired the shapes and forms of many hotels and houses, such as the Amandari.
By using such natural materials as thatch roofing, bamboo poles, woven bamboo, coconut wood, mud and stone, complete harmony with the environment is maintained. The Balinese have always been particularly adept at using bamboo and behind every Balinese house one can find at least one stand of bamboo.
The introduction of cement and other modern materials and the rapid growth of hotels, galleries and new homes has produced mixed results. The opulence and ornamentation of many new hotels are often breath-taking. Nowhere else in the world would such wood carvings and stone work be possible. Still the line between kitsch and good taste is narrow and too often people have failed to appreciate the essence of Balinese architecture that in many cases has become an amazing parody of itself. One hopes that in the future more attention will be paid to resorts like the Amandari and Four Seasons Resort in Jimbaran, who have modified traditional Balinese architecture without tainting its integrity.
For those truly interested in Balinese architecture, a visit to the Bali Museum in Denpasar is a must. There you will not only find many old traditional buildings but also information as to the local styles, of which there are many.