Museum Sejarah Jakarta (The Jakarta Historical Museum), or better known as Fatahillah Museum is located at Taman Fatahillah No. 1 Jakarta Barat/West Jakarta. This museum was serves as City Hall (Staadhuis) built by the Governor-General VOC Jan Pieterzoen Coen in 1620. In 1627, due to the increasing activities of the VOC, the new building is built at the same place. The new building was only last until 1707.

Furthermore, the Governor-General Joan Van Hoorn, on January 25, 1707, began to build a new building (as seen now) and recently completed in the reign of Governor General Abraham van Riebeeck, which was inaugurated on July 10, 1710. Architecture of the building from the 17th century classical baroque style, has 3 floors with doors and windows made of teak wood dark green. The roof of the main building has a direction of the wind. There is a fountain or pond as the water resources for city at that time. This Building was not only serves as City Hall offices only, but also as an office Marital Affairs Council, Civic Offices Treasure (Bureau Pawnshop) and the the Court (Raad van Justitie). Therefore it is also known by local as Talking House.

The building resembles the Dam Palace in Amsterdam, consists of a main building with two wings on the east and west and others buildings used as offices, court rooms, and underground spaces are used as a prison. Like in Europe, the City Hall is equipped with a field called” Stadhuisplein”. According to Johannes Rach, a painting of the money made by VOC employees from Denmark, in the middle of the field there is a fountain which is the only source of water for the local community. The water comes from Pancoran Glodok connected by pipe to stadhuiplein. Since the building also serves as the office of the court, it is also equipped with a cell or prison space while awaiting court ruling. Prison spaces are located on the ground floor at the back of the City Hall. The City Hall also a place where several national heroes, including Pangeran Diponegoro, and Cut Nyak Dien. Also some Chinese and even the Dutch that are against the government being detained here too. In addition to political cases there are also other cases such as debts and criminal cases.

Jakarta History Museum has a collection amounted to 23,500 pieces from the heritage Old Jakarta Museum (Oud Batavia Museum), the Jakarta government procurement efforts and donations from individuals and institutions. Collections on displays are more than 500 pieces, which others were kept in storage. Collections which become the most frequent object for taking picture are the Jagur Cannon, Hermes statues, Swords execution, filing cabinets, and painting of the VOC Governor General of the Dutch East Indies in 1602-1942.

Underground Prison

The prison is located under the building on the inside of the museum park. A Semi circular chambers and impressed stuffy and dark. Prison walls are made of concrete wall with iron bars on the front windows. Still looks set iron balls the size of a volley ball tied to the feet of the prisoners.

Statue of the God Hermes

Statue of the god Hermes in Greek mythology is the god of luck, patron of the merchants, and the Gods messengers. The presence of Hermes statue in the garden section inside the Jakarta History museum comes from Ernst Stolz family gift, as a token of gratitude to the government of Batavia for the opportunity to trade in the Dutch East Indies

The Jagur Cannon

The Jagur cannon made in Macao. The cannon was brought to Malacca by the Portuguese, who was master of Malacca. In 1641 the Dutch fleet bringing guns to Batavia. The Jagur cannon weigh 3.5 tons and a length of 3.84 meter with a barrel diameter of 25 centimeters. In the body of the cannon it says “Ex IPSA renata me sum” which means “from myself, I’m born again.” There are believed The Jagur Cannon as a symbol of fertility and it is probably due to the writing and finger shapes that exist in the cannon.

The entrance fee to the Museum are Rp. 2000 (adults), Rp.1000 (students), and Rp. 600 (child). If you are interested to take picture for pre wedding / promotional / advertising then you will be charged for RP. 350,000. To use space or room at the museum you will be charged Rp. 250,000. The museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 9 – 15. The Museum close at Monday and National holiday

How to get here (see the route map):

From Juanda/Gondangdia /Cikini go to platform 1 and take the Red Line or Blue Line to Jakarta Kota. Go to the north exit and take a 5 minute walk to the North

From Tanah Abang go to platform 3 and take the Yellow Line heading to Depok/Nambo/Bogor and stop at Manggarai go to platform 3/5 and take the Red Line or Blue Line to Jakarta Kota. Go to the north exit and take a 5 minute walk to the North

From Sudirman go to platform 2 and take the Yellow Line heading to Depok/Nambo/Bogor and stop at Manggarai go to platform 3/5 and take the Red Line or Blue Line to Jakarta Kota. Go to the north exit and take a 5 minute walk to the North

see the link map or the map below

Reference

http://www.indonesia.travel/id/destination/413/museum-fatahillah-jakarta

http://www.museumsejarahjakarta.com/home_awal.php?page=sejarah_museum_tampil

http://id.wikipedia.org/wiki/Museum_Fatahillah

http://jakartaoke.blogspot.com/2009/04/museum-sejarah-jakarta.html