Old Town of Jakarta, Indonesia
Old Town of Jakarta covers a tiny area in the capital city of Indonesia, Jakarta. The special heritage only including a 1,3 square kilometer area crossing North Jakarta and West Jakarta (Pinangsia, Taman Sari, and Roa Malaka). Besides often called Old Batavia, in the 16th century, it called Asia Jewel and Queen of the East by Europe sailor. Old Jakarta deemed as the trading central of Asia continent in that time due to the strategic location and the lavish natural resources.
History recorded in 1526 Fatahillah attacked Sunda Kelapa harbor below the governance of Pajajaran Hindu Kingdom then the city named Jayakarta. At first Jayakarta was 15 hectares and had arranged traditionally as Java harbor. Then in 1619 Dutch colonial destroy Jayakarta within the command of Jan Pieterszoon Coen. A year later VOC built new town named Batavia to respect Batavieren, the ancestor of Dutch citizen. Batavia central now named Fatahillah Field in the eastern edge of Ciliwung river.
In 1635 this city expanded until the western edge of Ciliwung River. The city adopted Dutch city-style complete with the fortress, wall, and canal. Batavia then being administrative central of Dutch colonial until the year of 1942 Japanese handed over this city. Batavia changed its name into Jakarta and was playing its role until now. In 1972 the old town protected by the decree of Ali Sadikin, Jakarta Governor. This decision supposed to protect the city architectural history. But though the decree has been established but the old town ignored. However the old town got renovation by nonprofit organization, private organization, and city government in 2007.
The heritage of Jakarta history contains a lot interesting channel to visit like Jakarta History Museum, Bank Indonesia Museum, Jakarta Cathedral, Sion Church, Angke Mosque, Merah Shop, and Luar Batang Mosque. Museum Fatahillah or Jakarta History Museum located on Taman Fatahillah Street number 2, West Jakarta. This building formerly functioned as Stadhuis or Town Hall which built by the instruction of General Governor Johan Van Hoorn. The hall building structure built like the structure of Dam Palace in Amsterdam. The hilarious structure consists of main building with west and east wings. It connected with the compliment buildings functioned as office, court, and underground jail. The architecture adopts classical Baroque in 17th century within its three storey structure.
You can explore the history journey of Jakarta, replica of Tarumanegara and Pajajaran era, archeology digging in Jakarta, antique furnitures from 17th centuries to the 19th centuries which was the mixture of European style, China, and Indonesia. There are also ceramic, pottery, and inscriptions. Jakarta Cathedral or officially name Santa Maria Pelindung Diangkat Ke Surga, De Kerk van Onze Lieve Vrouwe ten Hemelopneming is an extraordinary church in Jakarta.
This building has long history from the year of 1901. The building adopts neo-gothic style from Europe while some centuries ago it has been naturally used to build church building. The precious heritage designed by Priest Antonius Dijkmans while the first stone put by Provicaris Carolus Wenneker. But the original cathedral actually burned in 1826 with 180 locals houses and in 1890 the Cathedral collapsed.
Angke Mosque definitely placed in West Jakarta. It adopted Java architecture with the structure of two storey building. Angke Mosque now famous with the name of Al-Anwar Mosque which has tight relationship with Chinese in Batavia. Sion Church had known as the oldest church in Jakarta. It built in 1693 by Portuguese colonial. At that time it located nearby Jakarta Station, Jayakarta Prince Street, West Jakarta. The architecture shines on Portuguese character with window cupola, great pulpit, and majestic chairs.
Source: indonesiatravelguide.asia
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