Semarapura and Surroundings

Art, music, sea, and sky come together on this tour, which begins with a short 20-minute drive to Semarapura, the nearest town to Nirarta and the county town of Klungkung. Known as the “Palace of Love,” Klungkung is Bali’s smallest regency, yet it includes the island of Nusa Penida, visible from its shores. Twinned with Florence, the town offers banks, shops, and an arts and crafts market.

We will visit Tirta Gosa, part of the royal palace, where the judgment pavilion is decorated with vivid Dantesque scenes showing the consequences of misdeeds. The site also includes a small museum and art gallery with paintings by Amrosi, the former Florentine resident of Bali. From there, we continue a few minutes south to Kamasan village, renowned for its traditional Kamasan-style painting.

The journey then leads through Gelgel, once a center of power and prestige for this region and for Bali as a whole, and formerly home to Dhanghyang Nirarta, to the black-stone temple of Klotok. Set on a black sand beach opposite Nusa Penida, it has long inspired many Balinese healers. Our final stop is Tihingan village, about 10 minutes from town, where gamelan and gong instruments are produced. On the return, time permitting, we may also visit the private museum and collection of artist Gunaksa.

Duration: approximately 3 to 4 hours