A stone’s throw from Jakarta Cathedral, deliberately placed as a symbol of pluralism, the colossal Istiqlal Mosque (Masjid Istiqlal) matches the magnificence of its predecessors. Built by the post-colonial government, the ‘fervour of independence’ certainly comes through in the design of mosque, much as it did with Monas: visions of buildings exuding symbolism and monumentalism.

A vision of towering spires and intricate stonework, the Jakarta Cathedral, officially named Gereja Santa Perawan Maria Diangkat ke Surga (The Church of Our Lady of the Assumption), is a masterpiece of Neo-Gothic architecture. Completed in 1901, its construction followed almost 70 years after Willemskerk (Immanuel Jakarta), owing to the Netherlands’ allegiance to Protestantism prior

Standing opposite Gambir train station is one of Indonesia’s oldest churches, Immanuel Church Jakarta, built in 1839 during Dutch occupation. Originally it was named Willemskerk, after then-monarch King Willem I of Netherlands, and was thus aptly placed beside what was then called Koningsplein, King’s Square, or Merdeka Square today. The construction of the church was

Located in East Jakarta, Taman Mini Indonesia Indah (TMII) is a cultural theme park that encapsulates the rich diversity of Indonesia’s heritage. Envisioned by the wife of Suharto, Siti Hartinah (better known as Ibu Tien Suharto), it was inaugurated in April 1975. Taman Mini certainly followed the ethos of President Suharto’s government, one focused on

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

Driving down Jalan Merdeka Utama, it is impossible not to catch a glimpse of Indonesia’s presidential palace, Istana Merdeka, commanding and elegant. All in white, with its grand colonnaded façade and towering archway wings, it is a marvellous display of neoclassical architecture, boasting 30 rooms and halls. As such, it makes for a fitting residence

Quite literally named ‘Old Town’, Jakarta’s historic centre is found at Kota Tua, where remnants of a colonial past stand as reminders of the city’s past life as the Dutch-run Batavia. At the very heart of Kota Tua is Batavia’s old city hall, an imposing-yet-impressive building that epitomises colonial architecture at the time, in front

The heart of Jakarta lies in Medan Merdeka, a sprawling, 75-hectare open square; the third largest in the world. It is an oasis in the very centre of the city, where the parks and fields spread generously across the area, accentuating the plaza’s epic centre piece: Monas, or Monumen Nasional, Indonesia’s towering monolith in honour