- Address: Jalan Taman Fatahillah No.1, Pinangsia, Tamansari, Kota Jakarta Barat, Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta 11110, Indonesia
- Phone: +62 21 6929101
- Date of foundation: 1974.
In the capital of Indonesia Jakarta, in its Old Town there is a historical museum. It is known as the Museum of Batavia or Fatahilla. The prototype of the building was the Royal Museum of Amsterdam.
History of the Museum of Jakarta
The building itself was built in 1710 for the municipality of Batavia. Later, the headquarters of the Dutch East India Company were located here, and later the Dutch colonial administration was located.
Since 1945, since the proclamation of the independence of Indonesia, and until 1961, when Jakarta was declared an independent autonomy, the administration housed the governor of Western Java. Since 1970, the municipality of the capital district has made great efforts to develop the historic central part of the city. And on March 30, 1974, the Historical Museum of Jakarta was inaugurated. The purpose of his discovery was the collection, storage and research of various objects of the cultural heritage of the city.
Expositions of the museum
The building impresses with its enormous size. There are 37 rooms in it. In its storehouses are stored approximately 23 500 exhibits, some of which were transferred from other museums:
- The main exhibits. Ceramics, paintings, historical maps and archaeological objects of prehistoric times, the age of some objects more than 1500 years.
- The richest collection of furniture of the XVII-XIX centuries in the style of Betavi is located in several halls of the museum.
- A copy of the inscription on the Tugu stone , which confirms that the center of the Kingdom of Tarumaneghar was once located on the Jakarta coast.
- A copy of the plan of the Monument of the Portuguese Padrao, dating back to the 16th century, is a historical testimony to the existence of the Sunda Kelap harbor.
- The dungeon dug under the building to a depth of only 1.5 m. Here once the Dutch contained prisoners. People were imprisoned in small chambers, and then filled them with water to half the human height.
What else is interesting museum of Jakarta?
Near the building of the museum there is a well. There is an ancient tradition, according to which everyone should put a gift near him in the form of bread or wine, and then all the adversities will bypass your house side.
On the square in front of the museum stands the Si Iago (Si Jagur) cannon in the form of a cookie, decorated with handmade ornaments. Local residents believe that it helps childless couples to have a baby.
From 2011 to 2015 The museum of Jakarta was closed for restoration. After that, a new exhibition was opened here, demonstrating the prospects for the revival of the Old City of Jakarta.
On weekends in the square of Fatahilla in front of the museum local residents in national clothes arrange bright shows with music and dances.
How to get to the Historical Museum of Jakarta?
The best way to get to the museum from the Blok M terminal is by bus No. 1 of TransJakarta Busway. Going to the stop Kota Tua, you need to go 300 meters more, and you will find yourself in front of the museum. From anywhere in the city to the Historical Museum you can book a taxi.