Jakarta Old Town

Jakarta Old Town ("Kota Tua Jakarta"), also known as Old Jakarta, and Old Batavia ("Oud Batavia"), is a small area in Jakarta, Indonesia. This special region spans 1.3 square kilometres of both North Jakarta and West Jakarta.

Dubbed "The Jewel of Asia" and "Queen of the East" in the 16th century by European sailors, Old Jakarta — or Batavia, as it was named by the Dutch — was once considered a center of commerce for the whole continent due to its strategic location and fertile resources.

History

In 1526, Fatahillah sent by Sultanate of Demak, invade Hindu Pajajaran's port of Sunda Kelapa, then he change the name of the port to Jayakarta. This town is only 15 hectare in size and rendered in traditional Javanese coastal city. In 1619 VOC destroyed Jayakarta under the command of Jan Pieterzoon Coen. A year later VOC build a new town named "Batavia" to honor "Batavieren", tha Dutch ancestors. This city centered around east bank of Ciliwung river, around present day Fatahillah Square.

The inhabitant of Batavia are called "Batavianen", later known as "Betawi" people, the creole ethnic, the descendants of mixed various ethnicities that has inhabited Batavia.

In 1635 the city expanded towards west banks of Ciliwung, on the ruins of former Jayakarta. The city was designed in European Dutch style completed with fortress (Casteel Batavia), city wall, and canals. The city was arranged in several blocks separated with canals [ Kota Tua Jakarta booklet, Dinas Kebudayaan dan Permuseuman Pemerintah Provinsi DKI Jakarta ] . The city of Batavia was completed in 1650. It become the center of VOC in East Indies. The canals was disbanded due to outbreak of tropical deseases within the city wall because of sanitation and hygiene problems. The city began to expand further south as epidemics in 1835 and 1870 encouraged more people to move far south of the port, to Weltevreden area (now the area surrounding Merdeka Square). The city later become the administrative center of colonial Dutch East Indies. In 1942 during the Japanese occupation, the name of the city changes to Jakarta, and now serves as the capital city of Indonesia.

In 1972, the Governor of Jakarta Ali Sadikin issued a decree that officially made the Jakarta Kota area into a heritage site. The governor's decision was necessary in order to preserve the city's architectural roots — or at least what was left of it.

Despite the Governor's Decree, the vicinity remains neglected, as though the majority was pleased just by the issuing of the decree. Not enough was being done to protect and conserve the legacy from the Dutch colonial era. [ [http://www.kompas.com/kompas-cetak/0603/06/metro/2484883.htm 75% of Old Town Crumbling -- No Incentive from the Government] , "Kompas", March 6, 2006]

The Important Sites of Jakarta Old Town

As important settlement, urban center, and the center of commerce in Asia since 16th century, "Oud Batavia" is home of several important historical sites and buildings. [ Kota Tua Jakarta booklet, Dinas Kebudayaan dan Permuseuman Pemerintah Provinsi DKI Jakarta ] The notable sites are:

*Luar Batang Mosque
*The Port of Sunda Kelapa
*Pasar Ikan (Fish Market)
*Museum Bahari {Maritime Museum)
*Menara Syahbandar (Port Tower)
*Kota Intan Drawbridge
*Kali Besar (Grootegratch)
*Wayang Museum (Former Church of Batavia)
*Fatahillah Square
*Fine Arts and Ceramics Museum (Former Court of Justice of Batavia)
*Jakarta Historical Museum (Former Stadhuis of Batavia)
*Cafe Batavia
*Toko Merah (Red Store)
*Chartered Bank
*Bank Indonesia Museum
*Bank Mandiri Museum
*Jakarta Kota Station (Beos Station)
*Glodok and Pinangsia Area (Jakarta Chinatown)
*Petak Sembilan
*Jin De Yuan Temple (Vihara Dharma Bhakti)
*Chandranaya Building
*Archieve Building

Now, many remaining historical buildings and architecture are steadily deteriorating; at best, "dilapidated". [ [http://www.int.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=14&art_id=qw1141708685720T614 Jakarta's Old Town sees hope for revival] , "IOL"] such as; Museum History of Jakarta (ex-Dutch Indies general governoor palace), Museum Bahari, Sunda Kelapa harbour, and Omni Batavia hotel.

However, there is still much hope in restoring the area, especially with various non-profit organizations, private institutions, and even the government [ [http://www.kompas.com/kompas-cetak/0606/10/metro/2723307.htm Old Town Revitalization Becomes a Priority for Provincial Gov't of DKI Jakarta] , "Kompas", June 10, 2006] recently stepping up to the plate to rejuvenate Old Jakarta's legacy. Since late 2007, the government closed Pinangsia street and replace it as pedestrian.

References