Puputan Square

Denpasar


This bit of urban open space commemorates the heroic but suicidal stand of the rajas of Badung against the invading Dutch in 1906. A monument depicts a Balinese family in heroic pose, brandishing the weapons that were so ineffective against the Dutch guns. The woman also has jewels in her left hand, as the women of the Badung court reputedly flung their jewellery at the Dutch soldiers to taunt them.

The park is popular with locals at lunchtime and with families near sunset. Vendors sell chicken satay and other snacks plus drinks. On weekends it can fill with kite-flyers of all ages.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Denpasar attractions

1. Museum Negeri Propinsi Bali

0.08 MILES

Think of this as the British Museum or the Smithsonian of Balinese culture. It's all here, but unlike those world-class institutions, you have to work at…

2. Pura Jagatnatha

0.09 MILES

The state temple, built in 1953, is dedicated to the supreme god, Sanghyang Widi. Part of its significance is its statement of monotheism. Although the…

3. Pura Maospahit

0.6 MILES

Established in the 14th century, at the time the Majapahit arrived from Java, this temple was damaged in a 1917 earthquake and has been heavily restored…

4. Taman Wedhi Budaya

1.13 MILES

This arts centre is a sprawling complex in the eastern part of Denpasar. Its lavish architecture houses an art gallery with an interesting collection…

5. Bajra Sandhi Monument

1.49 MILES

The centrepiece to a popular park, this huge monument is as big as its name. Inside the vaguely Borobudur-like structure are dioramas tracing Bali’s…

6. Bali Orchid Garden

2.81 MILES

Orchids thrive in Bali's warm weather and rich volcanic soil. At this garden you can see thousands of orchids in a variety of settings. It's 3km north of…

7. Taman Festival Bali

3.25 MILES

One of the more unusual Bali attractions, Taman Festival Bali is an abandoned theme park about a 20-minute drive north of Sanur. Some say that the 8…

8. Museum Le Mayeur

3.38 MILES

Artist Adrien-Jean Le Mayeur de Merpres (1880–1958) arrived in Bali in 1932, and married the beautiful Legong dancer Ni Polok three years later, when she…