Fatahillah Museum (Jakarta History Museum)

Colonial Traces in the Heart of the City: A Comprehensive History of Fatahillah Museum

Jakarta History Museum, more popularly known as Fatahillah Museum, stands majestically on the south side of Fatahillah Square, in the Old Town area of West Jakarta. As one of Indonesia's most iconic landmarks, this building is not merely a structure of concrete and wood, but a silent witness to the transformation of a swamp settlement into an ambitious center of colonial governance, and a witness to the long struggle of the Indonesian nation towards independence.

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Origins and Construction Period: From City Hall to Museum

The building we know today is actually the third structure to serve as the Stadhuis (City Hall) of Batavia. The first city hall was built in 1620 near the Ciliwung River bank, but was soon replaced due to unstable soil conditions. The construction of the building that stands today began in 1707 under the order of Governor-General Joan van Hoorn.

The construction process took three years and was officially inaugurated on July 10, 1710, by Governor-General Abraham van Riebeeck. During the colonial era, this building served as the administrative center of Batavia's city government, tax office, and even the seat of the Raad van Justitie (Council of Justice). Its status as a center of government lasted until 1913, before the government offices eventually moved to the Weltevreden area (now the area around Medan Merdeka).

After briefly being used as the office of the West Java Provincial Government (1925-1942) and the Japanese military headquarters, the building was finally inaugurated as the Jakarta History Museum by the Governor of DKI Jakarta, Ali Sadikin, on March 30, 1974.

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Architecture: Grand and Functional Neoclassicism

Architecturally, Fatahillah Museum adopts the 17th-century Dutch Classical Baroque style (often referred to as Dutch Neoclassicism). Its design closely resembles the Dam Palace in Amsterdam, reflecting the VOC's ambition to create an "Amsterdam in the East."

The building consists of a main structure with two wings on the east and west sides, and annex buildings used as offices and courtrooms. One of the most striking features is the bell tower (cupola) on the roof, which served as a timekeeper and a warning signal for the city's residents. At the top of the tower is an iconic small ship weather vane.

The building materials are dominated by red bricks with thick white plaster, while the original floors used high-quality marble and teak wood tiles. The large doors with carved wood ornaments signify the prosperity of the VOC at that time. Uniquely, beneath this grandeur lies a dark and narrow basement, which served as a prison for detainees awaiting trial or execution.

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Historical Significance and Important Events

Fatahillah Museum was not just an administrative center, but also a stage for dark events in Jakarta's history. In front of this building, precisely in Fatahillah Square (formerly Stadhuisplein), public executions were often carried out for rebels or criminals.

One of the most tragic events associated with this location is the "Angke Tragedy" or "Chinezenmoord" in October 1740. Thousands of ethnic Chinese residents were massacred by VOC soldiers, and many of them were detained or tried in this building before ultimately being executed. This event left a deep scar in the history of social integration in Batavia.

Furthermore, this building was a silent witness to the changes in power from Dutch to British (1811-1816), back to Dutch, and then the Japanese occupation. Each transition of power left administrative traces stored in historical archives that are now part of the museum's collection.

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Related Figures and Iconic Collections

Several prominent figures in Indonesian history have had connections with this building. Prince Diponegoro, the leader of the Java War, was once detained in one of the rooms in this building in 1830 before being exiled to Manado and Makassar. Diponegoro's prison cell is now one of the most visited spots by tourists due to its high historical value.

Additionally, Untung Surapati is also said to have experienced the cold of the underground prison cell at the Stadhuis before eventually escaping and resisting the VOC.

The museum's collection is very rich, comprising approximately 23,500 objects. One of the most phenomenal is the Si Jagur Cannon. This large cannon has a "thumb between the index and middle finger" symbol (manus fica) on its rear, which is often misinterpreted by locals as a symbol of fertility, when in fact it is a symbol of luck or warding off evil in Portuguese culture. In addition, there is a collection of antique furniture from the 17th to 19th centuries, showcasing a blend of European, Chinese, and Betawi styles.

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Preservation Status and Architectural Restoration

As a National Heritage Building, Fatahillah Museum continuously undergoes intensive conservation efforts. The biggest challenge in its preservation is the land subsidence in West Jakarta and the threat of tidal flooding.

Major restoration was carried out in the early 1970s under the direction of Ali Sadikin to restore its colonial aesthetics. Currently, the DKI Jakarta government, through the Jakarta History Museum Management Unit, continues to perform routine maintenance on the wooden structures and walls to prevent decay due to high humidity. The overall revitalization of the Old Town area also has a positive impact on accessibility and environmental planning around the museum, making it a pedestrian-friendly zone for tourists.

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Cultural and Social Meaning

For the people of Jakarta, Fatahillah Museum is more than just an ancient site. The name "Fatahillah" itself is taken from the hero who captured Sunda Kelapa harbor from the Portuguese in 1527, and subsequently renamed it Jayakarta. The use of this name is a symbol of decolonization—an effort to reclaim local identity over a building built by the colonizers.

Today, the area in front of the museum has become a very dynamic public space. From colorful parades of vintage bicycles to street art performances, Fatahillah Museum has transformed from a frightening symbol of colonial authority into an inclusive center for education and cultural recreation for all levels of Indonesian society.

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Unique Facts Rarely Known

Besides its official history, there are several unique facts about this building:

1. Women's and Men's Prison: The underground prison in this museum is divided into two sectors. The men's cells were so low that prisoners could not stand upright, while the women's cells were in a slightly higher section but still damp and unhealthy.

2. Bell of Death: The bell in the museum's upper cupola was only rung during executions or when there was an important announcement from the government. The sound of this bell was once a harbinger of fear for the residents of Batavia.

3. Hidden Well: In the museum's inner courtyard, there is an old well that was once the main water source for the City Hall residents and prisoners, which is now preserved as part of the original structure.

With all its grandeur and the dark history that accompanies it, Fatahillah Museum stands strong as a reminder of Jakarta's long journey from a small trading port to a global megacity.