Fatahillah Square, Jakarta - Timings, Things to Do

Fatahillah Square, Jakarta Overview

Fatahillah Square is a grandiose piazza built in honor of the renowned military figure and Indonesian national hero of the same name. Formerly referred to as the Batavia City Square, this historic landmark is home to the Wayang Museum, the Jakarta History Museum, and the Fine Arts and Ceramics Museum.

Located in the heart of Jakarta Old Town, the majestic Taman Fatahillah is, at present, a popular tourist destination, which receives thousands of enthusiastic visitors all year round. The square, made primarily of cobblestone, is encompassed with colonial buildings on all sides, which includes the revered Town Hall.

Things to Do

The glorious Taman Fatahillah is the centerpiece of Jakarta and usually has a joyful environment, with some local musicians strumming their guitars, human statues, little children riding their bikes, people clicking pictures or simply relaxing with a cup of coffee.

A number of street hawkers are lined along the pavement, selling a variety of goods. Taking a leisurely stroll through the Taman Fatahillah works wonders to be familiarized with the lively atmosphere that surrounds the compound. Right at the centre of the square is installed a beautiful replica of the original fountain that used to supply fresh water to the residents of the city.

Taman Fatahillah is also home to the quaint Café Batavia, which serves refreshments and has a tranquil atmosphere. Located in one of the oldest buildings in the city, this café dates back to as early as 1805 and since then, it has served its purpose as an art gallery as well as an administration office.

The prime attractions of Taman Fatahillah are its three captivating museums, and it is suggested that everyone take a look at these wonders of history when one explores the city.

Nearby Museums

Jakarta History Museum

The dignified Jakarta History Museum, locally referred to as the Museum Sejarah Jakarta, is housed within the building that formerly used to be the City Hall. It served as a prison several decades ago. The ones who were given the death sentence were executed in the square compound.

Constructed in the early years of the eighteenth century, this museum is a repository of hundreds of delightful artefacts as well as exhibitions that showcase the history of the region, right from the prehistoric era to the present day.

Belonging to the time ranging from the Dutch Colonization to the Japanese Occupation to the recent times, the impressive collection inside the museum ranges from ceramics, antique furniture that dates back to many centuries, maps as well as weapons. One of the key highlights of this museum is the underground dungeon.

Opening Hours:

Tuesday to Sunday – 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
The Jakarta History Museum remains closed on Mondays.

Wayang Museum

The alluring Wayang Museum features an extensive and rare collection of shadow puppets, wooden puppets as well as elaborately designed dolls from Indonesia and its adjacent countries, some of which include Vietnam and Thailand, and provides a deeper insight into the traditional art of the famous Indonesian puppetry, popularly referred to as the Javan Wayang. Every Sunday, the Wayang Museum hosts jolly puppet shows.

Opening Hours:

Tuesday to Sunday – 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM
The Wayang Museum remains closed on Mondays.

Fine Arts and Ceramics Museum

An ideal place for art connoisseurs, the Fine Arts and Ceramics Museum, locally referred to as the Museum Seni Rupa dan Keramik, is situated in the eastern side of the Taman Fatahillah, and is home to a vast collection of sculptures and paintings by famous artists such as Antonio Blanco, Henk Ngantung, and Basuki Abdullah, that have been preserved for several centuries. In addition to these masterpieces, the museum also houses brilliant ceramic works from cities across the country, including Yogyakarta, Malang, as well as Bandung.

Opening Hours:

Tuesday to Sunday – 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
The Fine Arts and Ceramics Museum remains closed on Mondays.

Entrance Fee

The entrance fee for each museum is listed below.

For adults – IDR 5000

For college students – IDR 3000

For children and school students – IDR 2000

How To Reach Taman Fatahillah

The glorified Taman Fatahillah lies at a distance of about a thousand and two hundred kilometers from Denpasar and may be reached in around twenty hours by private transport via Jl. Raya Pantura.

From Bandung, Taman Fatahillah is about a hundred and sixty-four kilometers away, and it takes a little over three hours to get there by private transport via Jl. Tol Jakarta – Cikampek and Jl. Tol Cipularang.

Lying at a distance of about seven hundred and ninety-four kilometers, it takes around ten hours to reach Taman Fatahillah from Surabaya by private transport via Jl. Tol Salatiga – Kertosono.