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.