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Jakarta History Museum is also well-known as Museum Fatahillah, this museum was named after the Sultan who defeated the Portuguese in 1527. The museum, located in Fatahilah Park, used to be the heart of the Dutch colonial administration. Formerly it was Stadhuis or the Town Hall of Batavia, built in 1627 and then renovated in 1705-1715.A well known historical event that took place there was the imprisonment of Prince Diponegoro. He was tricked by the Dutch colonial administration to come and discuss truce in Magelang, Central Java. But he ended up being taken into custody, and brought to this building before he was exiled to North Sulawesi. There is a painting, a work of art by the world famous Raden Saleh, depicting this arrest.
This museum has a collection of 18th century furnishings, chinaware, ancient maps of Jakarta, and portraits of the former colonial governors. In the backyard of the museum, there is a big old Portuguese cannon called Si Jagur, with an inscription in Latin: Ex Me Ipsa Renata Sum (I am Reborn From Myself). It is said to show that the cannon was the remold of several smaller cannons. It is believed that Si Jagur possesses certain mystical powers. Many women who aren’t able to bear children visit it hoping to be blessed with children.
For you guys who enjoy hanging out at cafes, there are two in this area. One of them is Museum Café, which is located in the museum building. The other is Batavia Café, located across the square from the museum. Take some pictures there or at Fatahilah Park, the Square! Jakarta History Museum is open Tuesday through Sundays, from 9 am up to 4 pm.
