Jakarta Old Town

Jakarta

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Jakarta Old Town

Jakarta’s Old Town, known as Kota Tua, is where the city first took shape under Dutch rule. The cobbled square is lined with faded colonial buildings that now house museums, cafés, and street artists. It’s a good place to walk around, people-watch, and imagine how Batavia might have looked centuries ago. Don’t miss Fatahillah Square, the Jakarta History Museum, and the Wayang Museum while you’re there.

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addressJalan Kali Besar Timur, Jakarta

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Taman Fatahillah

Fatahillah Square is the heart of Jakarta’s Old Town and the centre of what was once Dutch Batavia. The open square is surrounded by restored colonial buildings that now house the Jakarta History Museum, the Wayang Museum, and the Fine Art and Ceramics Museum. It’s a lively spot for people-watching and taking in the old architecture that hints at the city’s past.

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Jakarta History Museum

Set in the old town hall of Batavia, this 17th-century building now tells the story of Jakarta’s past under Dutch rule. The museum houses furniture, maps, paintings, and relics from the colonial era, showing how the city grew from a trading post into today’s capital.

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Wayang Museum

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Jakarta History Museum

Housed in the old City Hall building from 1710, the Jakarta History Museum traces the city’s past from its colonial days to modern times. Inside, you’ll find furniture, maps, paintings, and ceramics from across Indonesia and Europe. Wander through the creaky wooden floors and heavy teak furniture for a sense of what life was like during the Dutch era.

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