Gedong Kirtya Library Museum
Discover ancient Balinese wisdom in Lontar manuscripts and historical artifacts at Gedong Kirtya Library Museum and Buleleng Museum.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Fewer crowds, more focused exploration
Gedong Kirtya Library Museum
Best Time
Fewer crowds, more focused exploration
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Discover ancient Balinese wisdom in Lontar manuscripts and historical artifacts at Gedong Kirtya Library Museum and Buleleng Museum.
"Fabulous collection of manuscripts. Very kind attentive staff. Well worth the visit."
Confirm Hours Before You Go
Travelers report finding the museum closed unexpectedly. Always verify opening times beforehand. :clock1:
Ask Staff for Explanations
The staff are very helpful and can explain the old Balinese writing and manuscript creation. :bulb:
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Lontar Manuscript Collection
Explore a superb collection of ancient palm-leaf manuscripts, offering a glimpse into Balinese history and culture.
Buleleng Museum Artifacts
Discover historical art, daily life tools, and significant items like the first Governor's car and founder's portrait.
Beautiful Garden Setting
Enjoy the serene and beautiful garden surrounding the library and museum, a peaceful escape.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Verify Opening Hours
Understand the Collections
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Confirm Hours Before You Go
Travelers report finding the museum closed unexpectedly. Always verify opening times beforehand. :clock1:
Ask Staff for Explanations
The staff are very helpful and can explain the old Balinese writing and manuscript creation. :bulb:
Small Entrance Fee
Expect a nominal fee of around 5000 Rp for entry, which is well worth the experience. :moneybag:
Visit Buleleng Museum Too
The Buleleng Museum is right next door and complements the Kirtya collection with art and local history. :map:
Tips
from all over the internet
Confirm Hours Before You Go
Travelers report finding the museum closed unexpectedly. Always verify opening times beforehand. :clock1:
Ask Staff for Explanations
The staff are very helpful and can explain the old Balinese writing and manuscript creation. :bulb:
Small Entrance Fee
Expect a nominal fee of around 5000 Rp for entry, which is well worth the experience. :moneybag:
Visit Buleleng Museum Too
The Buleleng Museum is right next door and complements the Kirtya collection with art and local history. :map:
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors praise the Gedong Kirtya Library Museum for its fabulous and superb collection of ancient Lontar manuscripts and the helpfulness of its staff. The adjacent Buleleng Museum adds value with its historical artifacts and art. However, some travelers have experienced frustration due to unexpected closures and unclear signage, highlighting the importance of verifying opening hours.
"Actually I visited the Buleleng Museum. They're located at the sam location. Gedong Kirthya is museum that collect LONTAR while Buleleng Museum collect the art and tradition of Buleleng. These museum have a beautiful garden. Too bad, some room in the museum are used as office of the Social Service.
The collection is quiet complete from the aspect but not a lot of collection. First you can see the car from Mr Gusti Ketut Puja which is the first Governor of Litle Sunda in the colonial era. Beside the museum there also 4 sarcophagus (historical coffin from stone) from the village around Buleleng region. Inside there are photo, art like paint and wayang. Daily live tools from historical era. There also Kapitan Lim saving box. One beautiful paint of I Gusti Panji Sakti founder of Buleleng."
Lato Kartiko Wibowo
"Google asks how was Gedung Kirtya. Hard to say 🤷 the Google maps not only informed us the museum was open and we found it closed, the building was not signed properly on Google maps so we were looking for it for a few minutes. We traveled for over an hour to only see the locked door. No information about opening hours were displayed in any exposed place. Maybe another time."
Marcin Maciejewski
"Fabulous collection of manuscripts. Very kind attentive staff. If you're interested in this type of thing it's well worth the visit."
Caleb Satele
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Gedong Kirtya Library Museum is located in Singaraja, Bali. It's best accessed by private car or taxi. Ensure your driver knows the correct location, as Google Maps can sometimes be imprecise.
While the general area is known, some visitors have reported difficulty finding the exact entrance due to signage issues on Google Maps. Look for signs for both Gedong Kirtya and Buleleng Museum.
Hiring a local driver or using ride-sharing apps (if available and reliable in the area) are common methods. Public transport might be less convenient for reaching this specific location.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
Opening hours can be inconsistent. It's highly recommended to confirm the current operating hours directly before your visit, as some visitors have found it closed unexpectedly.
There is a small entrance fee, reportedly around 5000 Indonesian Rupiah (Rp), which is considered very reasonable for the experience.
Advance booking is generally not required for Gedong Kirtya Library Museum. Tickets can usually be purchased upon arrival.
Information on special exhibits or events is not widely publicized. The main draw is the permanent collection of manuscripts and historical artifacts.
🎫 🏛️ Onsite Experience
You can explore a significant collection of Lontar manuscripts (ancient palm-leaf books), historical artifacts, art, and daily life tools from the Dutch-colonial period and earlier. The adjacent Buleleng Museum adds to the historical context.
While children might not find all exhibits engaging, the historical context and unique manuscripts could be educational. The garden offers a pleasant space.
Photography policies can vary. It's best to check with the staff upon arrival regarding any restrictions on taking photos, especially of the manuscripts.
A visit typically takes 1-2 hours, depending on your interest in historical manuscripts and artifacts. You might spend longer if you explore the Buleleng Museum thoroughly.
Information on accessibility is limited. Given the historical nature of the buildings, accessibility might be challenging. It's advisable to inquire beforehand if this is a concern.
🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining
There are no dining facilities directly within the Gedong Kirtya Library Museum. You'll need to find restaurants or cafes in the surrounding Singaraja area.
Singaraja offers a range of local Indonesian cuisine, warungs (small eateries), and some cafes. You can find diverse culinary experiences in the town.
📸 📸 Photography
The beautifully preserved Lontar manuscripts, historical artifacts, the car of the first Governor, and the serene garden are prime subjects. The architecture of the buildings also offers photographic appeal.
Photography rules can vary. It's crucial to ask the museum staff for permission before taking pictures of the delicate manuscripts to ensure their preservation.
Morning light can be ideal for capturing the details of the manuscripts and artifacts, while the garden might be best photographed in the softer light of late afternoon.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
📚 History Buffs & Researchers
📸 Photographers
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
The Significance of Lontar Manuscripts
Preserving these delicate documents is a crucial task, and the library plays a vital role in safeguarding this heritage. Visitors interested in epigraphy, historical linguistics, or traditional Balinese arts will find this collection particularly fascinating. The sheer volume and diversity of the manuscripts make Gedong Kirtya a unique repository of knowledge.
Exploring the Buleleng Museum
One notable exhibit is the car belonging to Mr. Gusti Ketut Puja, the first Governor of Lesser Sunda during the Dutch-colonial period, offering a tangible link to the region's administrative past. The museum also houses four sarcophagi from surrounding villages, providing a glimpse into ancient burial customs. A beautiful painting of I Gusti Panji Sakti, the founder of Buleleng, is also a highlight, celebrating the region's heritage.
Visitor Experience and Practicalities
However, a common point of feedback is the inconsistency in opening hours and sometimes unclear signage, which has led to disappointment for some visitors who arrived to find the museum closed. It's strongly advised to verify the operating hours before making the journey. The presence of some rooms being used as offices for the Social Service has also been noted, which might slightly alter the visitor flow.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit