BATAVIA

BATAVIA (old city) called kota tua

Hundreds of years ago, Batavia is the Pearl of foreign nations. The capital of Indonesia has a lot of area history, one of which is the area of ​​Jakarta City. If Motobikers be in the region, such as getting the feel of another secured from most regions of the world's capitals. Along the old city starting from the Port of Palm Sunda and ended at Taman Fatahillah will recall the old days glory Batavia.

Port of Palm Sunda is one face of the old town of Jakarta. Sunda Kelapa harbor is now a port of loading and unloading of goods, mainly wood from the island of Borneo. Along the harbor lined vessels Phinisi or Bugis Schooner with typical shape, tapered at one end and colorful on the hull. Every day seems a view of the workers are busy up and down the ship for loading and unloading.

Port of Palm Sunda actually been heard since the 12th century. At that time the port is already known as a busy port of pepper's last Hindu kingdom in West Java, Padjadjaran, located near the city of Bogor now. Foreign ships coming from China, Japan, South India, and Arabia was anchored at this port carrying goods such as porcelain, coffee, silk, fabric perfumes, horses, wine, and dye in exchange for spices the wealth of the homeland at that time.

The first European Portuguese first arrived in Sunda Kelapa in 1512 to seek opportunities spice trade with the western world. Their existence did not last long, after the combined strength of Banten and Demak Muslim, Sunan led Gunungjati (Fatahillah), master Sunda Kelapa and changed its name to White Rose or the meaning "victory of the Real" on June 22, 1527. Now, each dated June 22 is celebrated as the anniversary of Jakarta.

After the Portuguese leave, Dutch traders arrived in 1596 with the same purpose, looking for spices. Spices are highly sought after at the time and become a luxury commodity in the Netherlands because of various properties such as medicine, body warmers, and perfume materials. Dutch traders (who later joined the VOC) initially received a warm welcome from Prince Wijayakrama and make an appointment.

However, tempted by the high potential income from the sale of spices in their home country, reneged on the agreement and establish VOC fortress in the south of the Port of Palm Sunda. This fort, in addition to functioning as a warehouse storage of goods, also used as a stronghold of resistance from British forces who are also intending to dominate trade in the archipelago. The fort was built in 1613, approximately 200 meters to the south of the Port of Palm Sunda.

In 1839 at this location was established Syahbandar tower that serves as a customs office, or collection of taxes from the goods unloaded at the port. Location of this tower occupies one of Bastion (fort corner) left. Location tower height of 18 meters is currently occupied one corner of the South Fort remaining. From this tower can be seen Landscape Viewable old city of Jakarta. Such as the Maritime Museum. Formerly this museum is a repository storage of goods - merchandise VOCs in 17th and 18th centuries. Until now this building retained its original condition for tourism.

Approximately 50 meters to the west of the tower there is the Museum Bahari. In this museum can be seen in the original equipment, replica, drawings and photographs related to the marine world in Indonesia, ranging from the royal era up to modern expeditions. The museum is actually occupying the warehouse to store goods VOC trade in 17th and 18th centuries, and still retained its original condition for tourism activities. Even part of the building can be rented for private events. On the north side of the museum there is still the original fort is the fort to the north.

Entering Jln. Cob in southern museum, we will arrive at the site of the former garage VOC ship or also known as VOC Shipyard. Here, in the past, the ships are damaged beyond repair. At present, elongated building with triangular windows in the roof was revitalized as a restaurant while maintaining its original architecture. Gate at the road bridge is retained snapper represent ancient architecture.

To the south, past the toll bridge, along the Ciliwung River, there is the original location of the city of Batavia. The Dutch colonial government renamed Jayakarta became Batavia when it came to power in Jakarta in the 17th century. This old city area is designed by the Governor-General of the Dutch East Indies, Jan Pieterzoon Coen, who want to build the Amsterdam version of the east of Batavia. This region there is a unique bridge typically Dutch. This wooden bridge known as Diamond City bridge. Built in 1628 the Dutch colonial government in accordance with its original style in Amsterdam, can be removed when the ship crossed it. But now the bridge is not maintained anymore. The wood had been porous with age.

Still the old town region precisely at the Great Western Road and the Great Eastern time. Lined buildings - buildings from the 18th century. This region is the center of the fortress city of Batavia. Some of the unique building is typical of the European region can still be found well, such as Neo Classic building with white ornaments. Walk south along the Great Kali River and turn to the left at the door of the Great North Road 3 Motobikers will arrive at the location where the central Bank Indonesia building a long-standing. Distinctive architectural style like most buildings in the cities of BI in Indonesia, namely Neo-Classic, looks beautiful with ornaments and white. Bank Building was built in the early 1990's. From the BI we rounded the Great South Road and walk door to the north, toward the Fatahillah Park area. Fatahillah Park is a rectangular open field with historic buildings on all sides.

On the north side there is a restaurant that occupies the building from the early 1800s. Beside him, art deco-style building that serves as a post office. On the east side of Indische Empire-style building stands Stiijl, former courthouse which now serves as the Museum of Fine Arts. In it exhibited a collection of ceramics, paintings, and pictures that explain the development of art in the homeland.

On the south side of the building stands majestically Jakarta History Museum. Unique building which consists of two floors showcases original items, replicas, drawings and photographs showing the development of Jakarta's history from prehistoric times until now. Actually, there is still a basement, which is used as a detention room during the reigns of VOC, complete with original iron chains used to bind the feet of the prisoners. The atmosphere of somber, dark and airless perceived when looking basement is able to make the hair stand difficult to imagine the conditions the prisoners at that time.

Museum of History (Stadhuis) was built in 1620 until 1707 at the initiative of the Governor-General Coen and was originally used as the town hall building during VOC rule. Fatahillah Park located in front of it save a lot of history, one 5000 massacre of ethnic Chinese descent in 1740. The reason for the VOC feel threatened by the presence of ethnic Chinese in Batavia, whose numbers swelled, as well as their strong business sense.

Jakarta Old Town area is just one of several historical areas in Jakarta. There are still others like Glodok (Chinatown), the area around New Market, Merdeka Square, and Menteng. But when viewed from the sequence of its history, the Old Town area is the forerunner to the development and history of the city of Jakarta, so it was more interesting to explore by bike.


source google