Central Jakarta

National Monument

Situated in the centre of Medan Mederka (Freedom Square) the Monas Monument is the landmark most associated with Jakarta. Medan Mederka was once the Dutch Military training ground in the city until Indonesia proclaimed independence. It is also the place where Indonesia’s first President, and father of current President Megawati Sukarnoputri, Achmed Soekarno, made some of his most famous anti-colonial speeches in the 1940s. So it is fitting that Soekarno chose this site in 1962 to celebrate the spirit of the Indonesian people. Finally finished in 1975, the monument stands 137 metres tall and is topped by a flame coated in 38 kilograms of gold. Today you can catch an elevator to the top to look out over the Jakarta skyline, while the monument’s basement houses the National History Museum. One piece of advice before you go however, try to avoid weekends as the queues are huge!

Know your Monas Monument:

The form of the Monas Monument was carefully thought out by President Soekarno and his followers. The Monument was built to symbolise the spirit of the Indonesian people as well as mark the independence of the nation. Therefore, the form stands in the shape of an “Alu” or rice pestle on top of a cup form-like “Lumpang” or mortar. This shape symbolises eternal life as well as signifying the struggle for independence and the pride and nobility of the resulting victory to stand alone as a nation. The flame at the top of the Monument symbolises the spirit of an independent Indonesian nation. The building specifications of the Monas Monument deliberately focus on the date which President Soekarno proclaimed independence for Indonesia – 17th of August 1945. Therefore, most of the measurements of the monument and the associated buildings have the numbers 17, 8 and 45 associated with them. - The interior of the Museum hall in the basement is 8-metres high and the main hall measures 80metres x 80metres. - The base of the monument in the shape of the rice mortar is 45x45 metres wide. Finally, the fence that surrounds the Monument is made of iron replicas of bamboo spears – a favoured weapon of Indonesian guerillas during their struggle for independence. Address: Jalan Taman Silang Monas, Central Jakarta. Tel: (6221) 384 0451 Opening hours: 8am-5pm daily. Closed on the last Monday of each month. Prices: Monas Monument – Rp5100 adult, Rp3600 students, Rp2600 children (subject to change). Entry to the monument includes entry to the National History Museum. There is also a Rp1000 camera charge if you would like to take photographs. National History Museum – Rp600 (subject to change). (back to top)

Taman Proklemasi

Probably the most important site in Indonesia for today’s generation is Taman Proklemasi. This is the spot where President Soekarno’s house stood and where at 10am on August 17 1945, Soekarno and his future Vice President Mohammed Hatta proclaimed independence for Indonesia. The second President of Indonesia, General Soeharto erected the monument here in 1980 and in 2001 a permanent open-air exhibition was opened covering the life and times of Soekarno. Address: Jalan Proklemasi No.56, Mentang, Central Jakarta. (back to top)

National Museum

The National Museum is a fantastic introduction to Indonesia’s history and culture. If you have trouble telling your driver where you want to go, just mention “Gedung Gajah”, or the “elephant building” as it is popularly known. This is due to the elephant sculpture donated by King Chulalongkorn of Thailand in 1871 on the front lawn. Inside, you’ll find the collection is very complete, with exhibits dating back as far as 1778 when the Museum was established. On the ground floor, look out for the fabulous array of Batik clothing on display as well as the skull and thigh-bone of Java Man, one of the oldest prehistoric man skeletons found anywhere in the world. Here you’ll also find bronzes and ceramics from the periods of Chinese trade during the Han, Tang, and Ming dynasties as well as a beautiful array of religious art. Upstairs, you’ll find the most precious exhibits – namely the gold treasure found on the slopes of Central Java’s Mount Merapi in 1990. Found by workmen excavating the site for volcanic rock in 1990, the treasure consists of over 16kg of ancient gold artifacts. The room is tightly secured understandably. Upstairs you’ll also find an exhibit of 5th century daggers and necklaces from the Hindu Kutai Kingdom in Kalimantan. Address: Jalan Medan Merdeka Barat No. 12, Central Jakarta. Tel: (6221) 381 2346 Opening hours: Tues-Sun 8.30am-11.30am. Closed on Monday. Prices: Rp200 per person (prices subject to change). (back to top)

Textile Museum

For those who have a keen interest in Batik and other Indonesian textiles, take a trip to the Textile Museum. Housed in an old villa, the building was originally owned by a French businessman in the 19th century before being sold to a Turkish consul to Batavia. The building then went through various government hands before the Textile Museum was established here in 1975. Inside, you’ll find over 300 indigenous textiles from all over Indonesia including cotton and silk batik, intricately woven ikat and various others. There’s also a detailed explanation on the making of batik as well as a set of rare rattan armour from West Papua. Address: Jalan Karel Satsuit Tubun, Tanah Abang, Central Jakarta. Opening hours: Tues-Thurs & Sun 9am-4pm, Fri 9am-3pm. Closed on Monday. Prices: Rp1000 per person (subject to change). (back to top)

Mesjid Istiqlal Mosque

Indonesia is the biggest Muslim nation on earth and therefore, fittingly, the biggest mosque in South-East Asia is situated in Central Jakarta. The Mesjid Istiqlal Mosque was started under President Soekarno’s reign in the early 1960s, but not finished until 1978 when President Soeharto had come to power. The name “Istiqlal” means “freedom” and the mosque can hold up to 250,000 people, but you usually won’t see that many people here except on the holiest days of the year – Idul Fitri and Idul Adha. If you’ve never seen a mosque on the inside before, then this would be a good one to start with as the scale is truly huge. Inside, find your way up to the top floor where you can look down on the main hall where thousands of people come every week to pray. If you do want to visit, remember to wear long pants and by paying a donation the security staff will take you on a short guided tour of the mosque. Address: Jalan Taman Wijaya Kusuma, Central Jakarta. Tel: (6221) 386 8347. (back to top)

St Mary’s Cathedral (Kathedral)

Across the road from the Mesjid Istiqlal Mosque you’ll find the St Mary’s Cathedral, known today by the locals as “Kathedral”. The nice thing about the presence of the Cathedral here is that it really is within a stones-throw of the Istiqlal Mosque as a symbol of religious unity within the country. The Cathedral was originally built in 1810 at this spot but had to be rebuilt after it was burnt to the ground in 1826. The second Cathedral was then finished in 1830 and in 1882 the two towers were added to the front before it was again reduced to ruin in 1890. The following year the rebuilding started again, but faltered several times before it was finally completed in its current form in 1901. Address: Jalan Kathedral 7B, Central Jakarta. Tel: (6221) 351 9186. (back to top)

Museum Permusan

This Museum is significant for the fact that it was where the future President Soekarno and his deputy Vice President Hatta were brought to write the proclamation of independence at the end of World War II. The building is actually the former home of the Commander of the Japanese forces during World War II, Admiral Maeda. Maeda was a keen supporter of Indonesian independence, especially as the Japanese became aware they would not win the war, and with his help Soekarno and Hatta made the first steps towards independence. Inside this museum you will find the private collection of the Admiral’s days in Indonesia. Address: Jalan Imam Bonjol, Jakarta. Prices: FREE (subject to change). Opening hours: Mon-Thurs 8.30am-2.30pm, Fri 8.30am-11am, Sat 8.30am-1.30pm. Closed on Sunday. (back to top)