go-explore
Car Rental
Slideshow
Slideshow

Old Batavia, the Jewel of Asia

 

In its heydays in the 16th century, Batavia was known as “The Queen of the East”and “the Jewel of Asia”. Its Sunda Kelapa harbour was abuzz with merchant vessels from Europe, China, India and from throughout the Indonesian archipelago, loading in and sailing away with precious nutmegs, pepper, tea, coffee, ceramics, cloths and other exotic products of the time. The warehouses were stacked with spices, tin and copper. The successful trade in Batavia filled the coffers of the Netherland’s Treasury.

Center of the VOC Dutch East India Company’s administration was the Stadthuis with its wide front plaza, around which were the Court of Justice, banks and other important buildings.

Later the city expanded to the west bank of the Ciliwung river, where the Dutch built a fortress, a city wall and canals, outside which was Chinatown and the homes of the indigenous people.

This entire area, covering 1.3 square kilometers is today called the Old Batavia, present day part of North and West Jakarta.

Before this, in 1526, Prince Fatahillah of Banten invaded the harbour of Sunda Kelapa of the West Javanese kingdom of Pajajaran, On 22 June 1527 he renamed the town Jayakarta meaning victorious city.  Until today, Jakarta bases its founding on this date.

In 1619, however, Dutch Governor Jan Pieterszoon Coen destroyed the town, upon which he built the new town of Batavia – naming it to the ancestors of the Dutch, the Batavieren.

Today many of the original buildings are still intact, The government has designated the Old Batavia as conservation area and plans are afoot to revive the entire neighbourhood into a tourst destination.

Today, the Sunda Kelapa Harbour is an inter-island harbour, where one can mostly find Bugis phinisi schooners at anchor. Nearly are the old warehouses, which are now converted into a Maritime Museum.

This museum houses models of old Dutch ships and the many types of boats used in the archipelago.

Center of the Old Batavia is the former municipal building or Stadthuis, which is now a Museum depicting Jakarta’s long history, called Museum Fatahillah, while the square is called the Fatahillah Square.

The Fatahillah Museum is built in classical baroque architecture consisting of a main building with two wings on its east and west, a complementary building used as an office, a court room, and an underground prison. These frightening prison cells contain heavy iron balls used to shackle prisoners and slaves.  

Around the square are the Fine Art and Ceramic Museum, one time Court of Justice, which houses splendid paintings of the romantic maestro Raden Saleh, and expressionist Affandi. There is also a collection of ceramics from many parts of Asia.

There is also the Wayang Museum, the Bank Indonesia and Bank Mandiri Museums, housing artefacts related to the banking world.

In the vicinity are the Sion Protestant Church, built in 1695 and still in use until today, the Pasar Ikan – or Fish market, the Kota Intan Drawbridge – a reminder of canals and bridges in Holland, and the old Jakarta Kota Station, also still operational today.

The Café Batavia has been restored and now offers authentic Dutch cuisine, pastries, coffee and tea, in relaxing retro atmosphere with high ceilings, large windows, ceiling fans and wooden beams.

 

Get There

In Old Batavia, the Fatahillah museum is still a favorite site for culture lovers, photographers, local tourists and international tourists (particularly Dutch and other Europeans) and is open from Tuesday through Sunday, from 09:00-16:00 West Indonesia Time. The museum is closed every Monday and public holidays.Old Batavia is easiest reached via the toll road to Tanjung Priok harbour or the old road via Gunung Sahari past Mangga Dua, but this road is usually congested. Take a taxi or car. Once at the Fatahillah Square there are old-fashioned bikes for rent to cycle around and see the many attractions in this area.

 

SELECT * FROM [cq:Page] AS s WHERE ISDESCENDANTNODE(s,'/content/indtravelrevamp/sa/en/trip-ideas') AND (s.[jcr:content/cq:tags] like '%indtravelrevamp:destination/area/jakarta%' ) order by [jcr:content/cq:lastModified] DESC

Suggested for You

Card image cap
21 Sep 2023

What to do in Jakarta during Lebaran? Come see our checklist – Indonesia.Travel

More

Card image cap
25 Jul 2023

Unveiling Indonesia's Backpacking Gems

More

Card image cap
12 Jan 2023

5 Exciting Chinese New Year Experiences in and Around Riau Archipelago

More

Card image cap
1 Dec 2022

Disability Friendly Destinations

More

Card image cap
7 Jul 2022

3 Steps to Offset Carbon Footprints for Sustainability

More

Card image cap
13 Apr 2022

How to Use PeduliLindungi App

More

Card image cap
12 Apr 2022

5 Great Things about Jakarta You Have to Experience

More

Card image cap
14 Dec 2021

Celebrates Your New Year’s Eve in These 5 Back-To-Nature Spots!

More

Card image cap
14 Dec 2021

5 Remarkable Churches in Indonesia

More

Card image cap
10 Nov 2021

4 Ways to Enjoy the Jakarta Fashion and Food Festival

More

Card image cap
23 Sep 2021

Inspirational Story: Ancol Dreamland’s Attempt to Innovate and Provide Entertainment During Pandemic

More

Card image cap
27 Aug 2021

Biggest 2019 Sports Event in Indonesia That You Have to Follow

More

Card image cap
27 Aug 2021

ROAD TO ASIAN GAMES 2018: PALEMBANG, Rising Tourism Sport City

More

Card image cap
27 Aug 2021

ROAD TO ASIAN GAMES 2018: PALEMBANG, Rising Tourism Sport City

More

Card image cap
26 Aug 2021

11 Indonesian Speciality Restaurants to Taste before You Leave Jakarta

More

Card image cap
26 Aug 2021

10 Exciting Jakarta Shopping Spree Experiences

More

Card image cap
24 Aug 2021

10 Ways to be Healthier during Your Weekend Holiday in the Heart of Jakarta

More

Card image cap
24 Aug 2021

Travel to Jakarta, shop, eat and explore

More

Card image cap
19 Aug 2021

5 Work-friendly Coffee Shops In Jakarta To Boost Your Productivity

More

Card image cap
9 Jul 2021

Seven Secrets to Making Your Indonesia Holiday A Stellar One - Indonesia.Travel

More

Card image cap
2 Jul 2021

7 Bucket-Worthy Ideas for the Best Cultural Trip in Indonesia

More

Card image cap
22 Jun 2021

Unique Easter Traditions in Indonesia

More

Card image cap
21 Jun 2021

5 Amazing Restaurants for a Festive Chinese New Year Experience in Jakarta

More

Card image cap
11 Jun 2021

Looking for A Historical Trip in Jakarta? These Spots Will Send You Back in Time!

More

Card image cap
10 Jun 2021

5 Unique Business Hotels for Your Successful Stay in Jakarta

More

Card image cap
10 Jun 2021

Museum Macan : Jakarta’s new iconic art space

More

Card image cap
10 Jun 2021

11 New Skills to Learn While You Are Staying in Jakarta!

More

Card image cap
10 Jun 2021

Road to Asian Games 2018: Enjoy Jakarta!

More

Card image cap
9 Jun 2021

4 Ways to Enjoy the Jakarta Fashion and Food Festival

More

Card image cap
28 May 2021

5 Backpacking Trip Ideas that You must Experience in Indonesia

More

Card image cap
16 Dec 2020

4 Unique Fine Dining Restaurants in Jakarta that Will Astound You

More

Card image cap
8 Sep 2020

10 Islands to Plunge into in Jakarta‘s Thousand Islands

More

Card image cap
4 Sep 2020

Celebrate Eid Al-Fitr in Indonesia with These 10 Delicious Foods

More

Card image cap
3 Sep 2020

5 Ideas for Your Passionate Honeymoon in Bandung

More

Card image cap
3 Sep 2020

Explore Jakarta’s Street Food

More

Card image cap
21 Oct 2019

Shop and Dine in Jakarta’s 5 Luxurious High-End Malls

More

Card image cap
17 May 2019

Bargain Shopping In Metropolitan Jakarta

More

Card image cap
17 Dec 2018

5 Best Hotels to Stay for New Year's Eve in Jakarta

More

Card image cap
14 Dec 2018

Spend Your New Year’s Eve in These Six Spots: Jakartan Style!

More

Card image cap
12 Sep 2018

Jakarta: Indonesia’s Capital of Splendors

More

Card image cap
12 Sep 2018

5 Budget Shopping Spots in Bandung that Worth Your Trip!

More

Card image cap
8 Aug 2018

Explore Jakarta Kota Tua: Today’s Old Batavia

More

Card image cap
3 Jul 2018

A Guide for Having An Enjoyable Ramadan Day in Jakarta

More

Card image cap
28 Jun 2018

Cruise around Kota Tua: Old Batavia of Dutch East India Company Heydays

More

Card image cap
22 May 2018

10 Most Unique Mosques in Indonesia

More

Card image cap
27 Mrc 2018

Where-To-Go List to Join The Egg-citing Easter Vibe in Jakarta

More

Card image cap
16 Mrc 2018

Easter Tradition in Indonesia

More

Card image cap
16 Mrc 2018

Lapis Legit, Indonesia’s Top Traditional Cake: CNN

More

Card image cap
16 Mrc 2018

Dining Out in and around BSD City near ICE Convention and Exhibition Hall

More

Card image cap
16 Mrc 2018

Best Places To Enjoy Festive Chinese New Year Celebrations in Indonesia

More

Card image cap
16 Mrc 2018

Exclusive Special Fine Dining around Jakarta

More

Card image cap
16 Mrc 2018

8 among Jakarta’s Luxurious Hotels to fit your Lifestyle

More

What They Say