The National Museum, often referred to as the Elephant Museum due to the bronze elephant statue in its courtyard, is one of the oldest and largest museums in Southeast Asia. Established in 1778, the museum houses approximately 140,000 items spanning the history, archaeology, ethnography, and geography of Indonesia. The National Museum is an ideal destination to understand the historical and cultural journey of the archipelago. In addition to showcasing collections, the museum regularly hosts events such as the National Museum Night Exploration, periodic special exhibitions, wayang kulit (shadow puppet) performances, and discussions and competitions.
Address
Jl. Medan Merdeka Barat No.12, Gambir, Central Jakarta, DKI Jakarta. Its strategic location near the National Monument (Monas) and Jakarta's city center makes it highly accessible.
Access to the National Museum
- By Air: If you are coming from outside Jakarta, Soekarno-Hatta International Airport is the primary gateway. From the airport, you can take a taxi, online transportation, or a Damri bus to the city center.
- By Land: The National Museum is easily accessible via TransJakarta (alight at the Monas stop), the KRL Commuter Line (alight at Gambir Station), or private vehicles, with parking available on-site.
Collections
The National Museum boasts over 140,000 collections categorized into several themes, including:
- Archaeology: Statues from the Hindu-Buddhist period, including the grand Bhairawa statue.
- Ethnography: Traditional clothing, weapons, and ceremonial tools from various Indonesian tribes, including the Trowulan gold collection, featuring intricate jewelry and ornaments from the Majapahit Kingdom.
- Ceramics and Numismatics: Ancient ceramics from China, Europe, and the Middle East, as well as historical currencies.
- History and Geography: Dioramas depicting Indonesia's historical journey and ancient maps.
Facilities
The National Museum offers various amenities for visitor comfort, such as modern exhibition halls, spacious parking, a library, a souvenir shop, a small café, a prayer room, and guides who provide in-depth explanations of the collections.
Ticket Prices
Adults: Rp25,000 per person
Children (3-12 years): Rp15,000 per person
International visitors: Rp50,000 per person
Operating Hours
Tuesday - Thursday: 08:00 - 16:00
Friday - Sunday: 08:00 - 20:00
Closed: Monday and national holidays
Further Information
Phone: (021) 3447778
Website: www.museumnasional.or.id
TikTok: @museumnasionalindonesia
Facebook: Museum Nasional Indonesia
