Museum Bahari

Overview

Museum Bahari (Maritime Museum) occupies a pair of massive Dutch East India Company (VOC) warehouses near Sunda Kelapa harbour. Its collections trace Indonesia's seafaring heritage from traditional Bugis pinisi schooners to the spice-trade era of the VOC.

Highlights

• VOC Warehouse Architecture: The 17th-century brick warehouses themselves are the primary attraction — among the oldest colonial structures in Jakarta.
• Ship Models: Detailed scale models of Bugis pinisi, Dutch galleons, and Indonesian Navy vessels.
• Lighthouse Collection: An exhibit on Indonesia's colonial-era lighthouse network.

History

The warehouses were built in 1652 and 1771 to store spices, tea, coffee, and textiles before shipment to Europe. Converted into a maritime museum in 1977, the buildings suffered a fire in 2018 but were restored and reopened.

Visitor Tips

• Combine with Sunda Kelapa and Pasar Ikan: All three are within walking distance in the old port zone.
• Entry: Rp 5,000.
• Duration: 45–60 minutes.