Pura Sada Kapal: A Majapahit Brick Tower and 64 Stone Monuments of Mengwi

Thousands of vehicles run along the Denpasar–Tabanan road every day, and nearly all of them miss the brick gateway on the edge of Jalan Raya Kapal. Just a few dozen metres from that traffic stands Pura Sada, also called Pura Purusada, the royal temple of Mengwi in Banjar Pemebetan, Kapal Village, Mengwi District, Badung. It looks like almost no other Balinese temple, and its courtyard is nearly always empty of tourists.

The prasada, a brick tower in East Javanese style

The main draw is the prasada: a red-brick tower roughly 16–17 metres tall with tiered roofs that recall the East Javanese temples of the Majapahit era. The structure collapsed in the great earthquake of 1917 and was reassembled in the late 1940s by an archaeological team working with villagers who still remembered its original shape. The prasada serves both as a place of worship and as a store for sacred objects.

The row of 64 stone monuments

In the main courtyard stands a line of small stone monuments, around 64 of them. Local tradition describes them as symbols of the loyal followers of the Mengwi prince who fell in battle — 61 markers for the warriors plus three for their leaders. Standing in neat formation like an army frozen in place, the row is far more striking in person than in photographs.

Getting there and the best time

• Distance: about 12–15 km from Canggu or Seminyak, roughly 30–40 minutes by scooter or car; around 12 km from Denpasar.
• Combine it: Pura Taman Ayun in Mengwi is only about 5 km north, making one tidy morning route.
• Best time: 08.00–10.00, when the light catches the red brick and the highway is still calm.
• Bonus: along Jalan Raya Kapal you will pass workshop after workshop of stone shrine carvers, a free show before or after your stop.

Practical Info & Booking

• Location: Banjar Pemebetan, Kapal Village, Mengwi, Badung — View on Google Maps
• Hours & tickets: there is no official ticket booth; the temple is generally open during daylight, roughly 08.00–17.00, so bring a voluntary donation of about Rp10,000–20,000 for the donation box.
• Etiquette: a sarong and sash are required — bring your own, as rentals are not always available. Do not climb on the shrines, and do not enter during a piodalan or ceremony without the priest's permission.
• Social: search on Instagram

Kapal is easiest to reach from the Canggu or Seminyak area. Check AccessiaPass hotel vouchers for a stay nearby, then set aside one quiet morning for the temple you have only ever driven past.