Standing regally on the western edge of Jakarta’s Merdeka Square, Museum Nasional Indonesia is an institution of immense cultural and historical significance. Established in 1868, it is the country’s oldest and largest museum, often referred to as “Museum Gajah” or the “Elephant Building” due to the bronze elephant statue gifted by King Chulalongkorn of Thailand in 1871, displayed at the entrance.
Before becoming Museum Nasional Indonesia, the institution was known as the Bataviaasch Genootschap van Kunsten en Wetenschappen, founded by the Dutch in 1778 as a centre for research and artifact preservation. It was housed in different locations before moving to its present neoclassical-style building in 1868, where it expanded into a museum. The post-independence era saw it formally renamed Museum Nasional Indonesia, a symbol of national identity and cultural preservation.
The museum’s extensive collection of over 196,000 artifacts covers all of Indonesia’s diverse heritage, divided into several permanent exhibitions:
Prehistory Hall – Showcases Indonesia’s earliest human settlements, including fossils, tools, and ancient cave art.
Archaeology & Classical Hindu-Buddhist Civilisation – Features relics from Java’s great empires, including the monumental statue of Adityawarman from the Majapahit era and exquisite Buddhist and Hindu stone carvings.
Ethnography Collection – A display of traditional costumes, textiles, and crafts from across the archipelago, reflecting the cultural diversity of Indonesia’s many ethnic groups.
Treasure Room – Home to a collection of gold and jewellery from ancient kingdoms, including heirlooms from Srivijaya and Majapahit.
Ceramics and Numismatics – Displaying centuries-old Chinese porcelain, local pottery, and rare coin collections from Indonesia’s trading past.
In September 2023, tragedy struck when a fire engulfed parts of the museum, damaging key exhibition halls and irreplaceable artifacts. In response, the museum underwent a meticulous restoration process, reopening in October 2024 with a renewed vigour and vision for safeguarding Indonesia’s heritage.
A visit to Museum Nasional Indonesia is an immersive journey through the country’s deep and layered past. The grandeur of the Hindu-Buddhist stone sculptures, the fine artistry of golden royal regalia, and the intricate detail of handwoven textiles tell the story of a civilization that has thrived for centuries. Beyond static displays, the museum also offers guided tours, cultural performances, and interactive exhibits designed to make history come alive for all ages.
