As part of its commitment to preserving and promoting Bali’s vibrant cultural heritage, Bali’s largest integrated resort destination, known as AYANA, will fully open SAKA Museum, a new Bali cultural center, in 2024.

SAKA will be an important cultural hub for celebrating the island’s creative, spiritual and philosophical expressions, while its huge, open-air and indoor spaces make it an upscale venue for diverse events.

© AYANA Resort Bali

AYANA, through the creation of SAKA Museum, expands its contribution to the Balinese community by supporting its artists, historians, scientists and scholars, while enriching visitors with a deeper understanding of the island’s living heritage. With a nod to the Balinese Saka calendar, an ancient Hindu solar calendar adapted by the Balinese to accommodate religious and ceremonial activities dictated by the cycles of the moon, the museum’s name perfectly describes its mission of bridging the past, present and future of Bali.

The SAKA Museum will offer an exceptional venue for a wide range of events. Occupying the first floor, the East Gallery is an indoor space providing a beautiful setting for special events, from weddings to corporate gatherings of up to 300 guests. Surrounded by the estate’s lush gardens and offering spectacular sunset views, the second floor’s SAKA Garden will be an outdoor space equipped with a floating stage and a capacity of up to 400 persons.

For the museum’s interior design, AYANA collaborated with award-winning Napp Studio & Architects, known for its work building uncommon museums that truly enhance visitors’ curiosity.  For its inaugural exhibition in 2023, SAKA Museum collaborated with Balinese communities and artists to create ogoh-ogoh, giant effigies paraded through the streets on the eve of the Saka calendar’s most important day: Nyepi, Bali’s New Year celebration and day of silence.

© AYANA Resort Bali

The museum’s permanent collection, to be unveiled this year, has been curated by a committee of renowned researchers, collectors and cultural experts.

“With the SAKA Museum, AYANA aims to significantly increase its contribution to the Balinese community that has provided many blessings to the AYANA family,” said Giordano Faggioli, general manager, AYANA Resort. “With its prime position at the entrance to the AYANA estate, all guests will see the SAKA upon entering the property, which signifies the museum’s importance for AYANA. As Bali has emerged as the region’s leading meetings destination, AYANA is pleased that the SAKA Museum will become the area’s most culturally immersive event venue.”

Located just 7 miles from Bali’s international airport (DPS), the expansive AYANA Resort sits on a stretch of cliff-front coastline above Jimbaran Bay. The 222-acre resort is home to four award-winning hotels: AYANA Resort Bali (294 rooms); AYANA Segara Bali (197 rooms); AYANA Villas Bali (78 villas); and RIMBA by AYANA Bali (403 rooms). The resort offers 15 wedding venues, 14 freshwater swimming pools, a secluded beach, 27 dining venues, 15 meeting and event venues, a business center, 18-hole golf putting course, two tennis courts, a jogging track, two fitness centers, two kids’ clubs, and soon SAKA Museum.

In the lead-up to the official opening in 2024, (a specific date has not yet been announced), guests of AYANA’s four resorts in Bali can now visit the museum, free of charge, by scheduling their visit via the AYANA app.