Villa Iseh

VILLA ISEH actually is the former mountain retreat of the artist Walter Spies who was quite known and famous here in Bali. In 1937, Spies built this retreat at Iseh in Karangasem. Spies was the co-founder of the Pita Maha artists cooperative, through which he shaped the development of modern Balinese art and established the Westerner’s image of Bali that still exists today. A very beautiful place with maybe one of the most spectacular views in the world; tranquil atmosphere and set in a traditional area with a beautiful temple right next to it; lots of history and also a place where other celebrities have visited just to name two: in 1987: Mick Jagger in 1991: the Sarong-clad David Bowie. Its also where Anna Mathews and her husband were living when Mt Agung erupted in 1963. She wrote Night of Purnama about it. The Austrian novelist, Vicki Baum stayed there also known for the novel ‘Love and Death’ in Bali.