Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel — The SAKA Museum in Jimbaran, Bali, has been named one of the World’s Most Beautiful Museums of 2025 by the prestigious French organization Prix Versailles. The award, announced on May 5, 2025, recognizes SAKA as the only museum from Indonesia to make the global list this year.
Prix Versailles honors exceptional achievements in architecture, sustainability, and cultural value. The World’s Most Beautiful Museums 2025 is part of the 11th edition of Prix Versailles, which celebrates outstanding projects from around the world in various categories throughout the year.
SAKA Museum standing with another seven global institutions, including the Grand Palais in Paris, Kunstsilo in Norway, and the Cleveland Museum of Natural History in the United States.
The accolade highlights museums that offer not only stunning architectural design both interior and exterior, but also meaningful visitor experiences that reflect cultural identity, innovation, and a strong connection to place.
Since opening to the public in 2024, the SAKA Museum has steadily gained international attention as one of Indonesia’s premier cultural destinations. Located within the Ayana Estate in Jimbaran, the museum continues to earn global acclaim for its design and programming.
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In 2024, TIME Magazine included SAKA in its list of the World’s Greatest Places, while the museum also earned a spot in the Top 100 Kyoto Global Design Awards for its commitment to innovation and sustainability.
“SAKA Museum has become a cultural source of pride and inspiration for Bali,” said Museum Director Dr. Judith E. Bosnak in a statement on Tuesday (May 13). “This award is a tribute to the creativity and dedication of the entire SAKA team, and reinforces the importance of accessible, sustainable, and innovative spaces for cultural learning.”
The museum has actively promoted Balinese heritage through a series of internationally recognized exhibitions. Among them is The Kasanga: Nyepi Exhibition, an immersive showcase of the Balinese Day of Silence, featuring artworks that illustrate the sacred rituals of the celebration.
Another standout is Subak: The Ancient Order of Bali, which explores Bali’s traditional water temple network and irrigation system, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
SAKA’s upcoming exhibition, Heritage Gallery: The Five Elements, will delve into the spiritual philosophy of Bali’s five natural elements—earth, water, fire, air, and ether—that form the foundation of life and balance on the island.
(Raidi/Agung)
