The Museum of Jakarta`s History

The Museum of Jakarta‘s History, also known as the Fatahillah Museum, was established on April 4th, 1974. As it is clear from the name, the Museum is meant as a memory of the historical journey of Jakarta during the Batavia era. It is considered as an ancient building with its colonial architecture from the 17th century, and is also surrounded by many other ancient buildings.

It was historically the building owned by VOC. This building was the first City Hall (Staadhuis) in Batavia; it was built by the Dutch in 1627 A.D. It was later renovated in 1970 when Indonesia became independent from the Dutch, and was established as the Museum of Jakarta‘s History in 1974.

Besides as a City Hall, it also functioned as the office of the Council of the State (College van Schepen), who handled the issues of law in the society. The defendants who would be judged would usually be placed in a basement jail. These people were treated cruelly in this prison. Their hands were tied and bodies were soaked in the water full of leeches.

Those defendants who were proved to be false and considered to break the law for doing crimes or rebelling to the Dutch would be punished. They would be hung in front of the City Hall. A bell, which is still at the top of the building to the present day, would be ringed to gather all of the people around the Hall to see the execution. This execution was a warning that people should not dare to rebel to the Dutch government. Things from the execution are well kept in it; a knife which was used to stab the criminals‘ heads is one of those.

The Museum of Jakarta‘s History has many historical things, such as the archeological things in the era of Hinduism, Buddhism, and Islam. There are also antiquities  from Betawi, antique furniture with the styles from China, Europe and Indonesia, crockery, ceramics, and also stapes. Those things are displayed in different rooms such as the Jakarta Pre-Historical, the Tarumanegara, the Jayakarta, the Sultan Agung, the Fatahillah, and the M. H Tamrin.  The visitors who wish to see the collection of the Museum are helped by the exhibition design. This design is based on the historical chronology which shows the history of Jakarta in a display form. Photographs, pictures, and portfolios, maps, and labels help the visitors to understand the historical backgrounds of the things.

Furthermore, the Museum also provides other historical things such as the coins used during the VOC period, various kinds of scales, the Jagur gun which is believed to have magical power, and the flag from the Fatahillah era. Visitors also have the chance to see the paintings of Raden Saleh, ancient maps, and a photograph of a VOC governor, J. P. Cohen.

The Museum Jakarta Location

The Museum is located in Taman Fatahillah Street No. 2, West Jakarta, Province of DKI Jakarta. People can use their private cars or by public transportation to reach the Museum. Trans Jakarta from Blok M is one of the choices when pubic transports are preferable. Mikrolet M-12 from Pasar Senen and Mikrolet M-08 from Tanah Abang are the other alternatives for public transportation. Bus Patas AC 79 is also available to reach the Museum. The entry ticket depends on whether the visitors are individual or in groups. It costs IDR 2000 for the adults who come individually and IDR 1000 for students. The ticket for children costs IDR 600. For group (of 20 people) the ticket os IDR 1500, IDR 750 for group of students, and IDR 500 for group of children. Besides the historical things, the Museum also provides other facilities such as a library with 1.200 collections, a café, and a store that sells souvenirs, a prayer room, a meeting room, and a garden. There are also many inns and hotels for those who want to spend the nights around it.

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Lake Toba

Lake Toba is the most famous lake in Indonesia. It is 100 km long and 30 km wide thus many people agree that Lake Toba is the biggest lake in the world. An island in the middle of the lake is Samosir Island at an altitude of 1.000 meters.

According a group of researchers from Michigan Technological University, there was a huge explosion that is famous as Toba eruption/Toba event which occurred about 75.000 years ago. The total amount of material erupted from the explosion was about 2.000 cubic km. Toba ash layer resulted from the explosion covered the entire Sumatra Island and Indonesia for about two weeks. The explosion formed a caldera then was gradually filled with water. Samosir Island appeared after a long term of magma uplifting from the earth.

Lake Toba has a very enchanted scenery for being surrounded by green hills. It offers beautifully magnificent view, fresh air, and tranquillity. You may either swim on the lake or rent a boat to hang around the lake. When the sun is going to set, you will experience a tranquil atmosphere while enjoying the sunset.

Lake Toba has cosmologic and magical values since surrounding people believe the existence of Namborru – seven fairies regarded as the ancestors of Batak tribe. There is an annual event namely Pesta Rakyat Danau Toba to express admiration for the local inhabitants‘ ancestors.

In Samosir Island, there are two other lakes namely Lake Sidihoni and Lake Aek Natonang. Likewise, there are some other tourism destinations such as Raja Sidabutar‘s Graveyard and traditional houses of Batak Toba Samosir tribe.

Lake Toba Location

Lake Toba encompasses three districts, Simalungun, Parapat, and Ambarita districts. It lies in North Sumatra Indonesia. To reach Lake Toba, you may take public transport passing through Medan-Parapat or Medan-Berastagi routes. It spends approximately four hours or 176 km distance. You can find easily some elegant hotels and other supporting facilities such as restaurants, cafés, and food stalls.

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The Great Mosque of Sabilal Muhtadin in Banjarmasin City

Sabilal Muhtadin Mosque

The Great Mosque of Sabilal Muhtadin was built in November 1974 and was finished in October 1979 on a 100.000 meters area of land. The body of the Mosque consists of the main building, 5.250 meters in width, with a 38 meters diameter dome and five towers. One of the five towers’ height is 45 meters, while the other four’s is only 21 meters.

The name ”Sabilal Muhtadin" was given as a respect to the great ulama (Islamic thinker), Syekh Muhammad Arsyad Al Banjari (1710-1812 A.D), whose life was spent to deepen and develop Islam in South Kalimantan. The name Sabilal Muhtadin is the title of one of the books that Syekh Muhammad Arsyad Al Banjari wrote.

the biggest mosque in South Kalimantan

The Great Mosque of Sabilal Muhtadin is the biggest mosque in South Kalimantan and able to accommodate 15.000 people; 7500 in the inside part, and 7500 in the outside part. The dome of the mosque has the diameter 38 meters. It was made of gold  Inside the mosque, the wall is decorated with the calligraphy of the Koran verses, Asmaul Husna (names of Allah),  and the name of four main caliphs in Islam. All calligraphies were made of black copper, so are the door, krawang and railing. All of them are made of copper with the relief based on the decoration that is common in South Kalimantan.

Tourists who visit the mosque can feel peaceful and calm, and also marvel from the beauty of the decoration which becomes the speciality of South Kalimantan.

Where Sabilal Muhtadin Mosque Location?

The Great Mosque of Sabilal Muhtadin is located in the middle of the city of Banjarmasin, in Jenderal Sudirman Street, Banjarmasin, not far from the Governor of South Kalimantan office.To get there, tourists can go by public transportation or private vehicle.Tourists can enter the building freely. No charge.

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