SAKA Museum at AYANA Bali has been named one of the World’s Most Beautiful Museums 2025 by Prix Versailles, an international award based in France that highlights sustainability, cultural expression, and architectural excellence. It is the only museum in Indonesia to receive the honor this year.
The announcement places SAKA Museum among seven institutions recognized globally, including the Grand Palais in Paris, Kunstsilo in Norway, Diriyah Art Futures in Riyadh, and the Cleveland Museum of Natural History in the United States. The recognition marks the beginning of the 11th edition of Prix Versailles.
Located within the AYANA Bali resort in Jimbaran, SAKA Museum has received multiple accolades since opening in 2024. It was previously listed among TIME Magazine’s World’s Greatest Places 2024 and selected in the Top 100 of the Kyoto Global Design Awards, the museum noted in a release.
“SAKA Museum has truly become a place of cultural pride and inspiration for Bali. This recognition celebrates the ingenuity of our entire SAKA Museum team, while also underscoring the profound importance of sustainable, accessible, and cutting-edge venues for cultural learning,” said Dr Judith E. Bosnak, Director of SAKA Museum.
“We hope to inspire others to embrace innovative, inclusive, and sustainable design in Indonesia while encouraging visitors to engage deeply with Bali’s past, present, and future through our immersive cultural experience.”
SAKA Museum features a range of exhibitions that explore Balinese identity through storytelling and curated displays. Exhibitions include “Kasanga: Nyepi Exhibition,” which presents sensory installations on Bali’s Day of Silence, and “Subak: The Ancient Order of Bali,” which examines the island’s UNESCO-listed irrigation and temple systems. The upcoming “Heritage Gallery: The Five Elements” will highlight the Balinese spiritual relationship with earth, water, fire, air, and ether.
The museum is part of AYANA’s long-term cultural initiative and aims to support museum practices in Indonesia. Through its exhibitions, seminars, and knowledge center, SAKA Museum promotes public engagement with Balinese heritage.
World’s Most Beautiful Museums List 2025
Grand Palais
Paris, France
SAKA Museum
Bali, Indonesia
Audeum
Seoul, Republic of Korea
Kunstsilo
Kristiansand, Norway
Diriyah Art Futures
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Cleveland Museum of Natural History
Cleveland, United States
Joslyn Art Museum
Omaha, United States
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To learn more about the ongoing exhibitions, visit: www.sakamuseum.org
