Along the southwestern coast of Bali stand nine so-called “sea temples,” forming a chain of sacred buildings intended to protect the island from evil spirits.
One of these temples, called Uluwatu, is located in the village of Pecatu, part of the southern district of Kuta, known for its resorts and beaches. It was built in the 11th century, and five hundred years later the sea temples were reconstructed at the initiative of the legendary Javanese monk Nirarta.
Uluwatu looks small, but its location at a height of about one hundred meters above the sea is breathtaking. From above there is an amazing view of the sea, and the ocean looks especially magical at sunset. It is hard to find more picturesque scenery in all of Bali.
Getting to the temple takes a long time and involves climbing steps, but it is worth it. The temple has three inner courtyards, and the gates leading to them are decorated with traditional carvings. To enter the temple, you must wear a traditional “sarong”.
It is also recommended to avoid jewelry and bright items, because marauding macaques are very active here, always trying to steal something from naive tourists. And these are not at all the cute and friendly little monkeys from the forest in Ubud, but truly brazen banderlogs that fear only the local guides.
