The Catuspatha pattern in Balinese palace, architectural conservation and challenges

Balinese architecture was established prior to European colonization and significantly enhances traditional Balinese values that are woven into the predominant Hindu religion. Palaces are integral to the architectural heritage of Bali and were dated back to the Majapahit Empire. Balinese palaces were constructed for non-ritualistic activities in this historical cultural landscape. Palaces were often located on road corners called catuspatha and they possess sacred values embodied in the concept of pempatan agung. Although Bali Province is today governed as one governance unit, these palaces still reflect their own multiple regal associations which are still respected by Balinese society. The representations and architecture of these palaces and the communicative symbols of a heyday era of Bali are raising questions as to how they can be accommodated within the over-arching tourism development and globalization of culture that Bali is experiencing. Therefore, this paper reviews pre-colonial Balinese palaces, their architecture, the catuspatha concept, and considers the traditional values of these ancient monuments as to conservation of palaces and their associated cultural heritage. An extensive literature review, surveys and observational inventories were undertaken at several palaces to obtain results that raise new questions about how these complexes can withstand globalization challenges whilst respecting traditional Balinese culture and society.