Old Batavia : The Queen of the East

Jakarta,  August 6, 2016

Well known as "The Queen of the East", Jakarta old town is also known as "The Jewel of Asia". Why? Because it had Sunda Kelapa harbour. In its heyday, 16th century, the successful trade of spices, tin, copper, etc made this place to be famous around the world. Located between north and west Jakarta, the Old Batavia has 1.3 square km.

I visited the old town of Jakarta with my friends, Ulya and Mbak Tutut. We rode angkot to UI station (Rp 5.000). Then rode commuter line from UI to Jakarta Kota (Rp 3.000). Finally, we walked to arrived at Jakarta old town.

The first thing we did in Jakarta old town was visited Fatahillah Museum. It located at Jl. Taman Fatahillah No 1, West Jakarta. Retribution fee : Rp 5.000/adult, Rp 3.000/univ. student, Rp 2.000/student. Open from 9 am until 3 pm. But closed at Monday & national holiday.

Fatahillah is the founder of Jakarta. Before its function change to be a museum in 1974, Fatahillah Museum was a municipal hall of Batavia (Batavia is previous name of Jakarta) or Stadhuis van Batavia. It was built by Jendral Johan van Hoorn in 1710. This museum has collections from prehistoric period, Dutch colonization, until Indonesia's independence in 1945.

When you tired after strolled around the old city, you can take a rest at Batavia Cafe. This cafe building is 200 years old, the second oldest building in Central Jakarta after Fatahillah Museum. This building changed to be a cafe in 1993 (one year older than me, hehe). I like this cafe style. It offers international cuisine. If you want to visit this cafe, don't forget to prepare much money because the price is a little bit expensive.