colonial period.
It’s easy to think of Jakarta as a sprawling metropolis of traffic and skyscrapers, but step towards the northern coastline, and you’ll uncover a different story—one where history and folklore collide.
To the northwest, sites like Museum Kebaharian Jakarta (Maritime Museum) and Kota Intan Bridge stand as remnants of a colonial past and the glory of Indonesia’s seafaring tribes, while to the northeast, the legendary ‘Rumah si Pitung’ keeps a long-held debate alive: was Pitung a real-life Robin Hood or merely a myth? The only way to find out is to explore these historical gems yourself—we’re here to tell you how and what awaits.
Jakarta Maritime Museum & Kota Intan Bridge
Museum Kebaharian Jakarta & Jembatan Kota Intan
and exhibitions.
hosts seasonal art exhibitions throughout the year.
The first stop you’ll want to make is the Maritime Museum. It was once part of the Dutch East India Company (VOC) warehouse where nutmeg, cloves, cinnamon, and other spices were stored before being traded by the Dutch. During the post-independence era, the building was repurposed before finally being transformed into the Maritime Museum in 1977.
Built gradually from 1718 to 1774, the walls of the Maritime Museum have seen it all—colonial ambition, wartime occupation, and even a devastating fire in 2018 that tore through Building C, destroying a collection of miniature ships and navigation equipment. Since then, restoration efforts have breathed new life into the museum.
Perhaps what makes a visit to this museum so enjoyable is its showcase of the splendour and fascinating history of Indonesia as an archipelagic nation. Ever heard of the famous saying, “Our ancestors were sailors”? Here, you’ll find all the traces you need to prove that indeed, our ancestors were sailors.
Visitors can stroll past replicas and actual models of traditional Indonesian boats, from the mighty phinisi of the Bugis sailors to the sleek Madurese fishing vessels. The collections on display range from traditional boats from Sulawesi, Borneo, the northern coasts of Java in Cirebon, East Java, and Sunda Kelapa, to the traditional vessels of Papua from its northern, western, and southern regions. Interesting fact: the famous Kora-Kora ride at Jakarta’s Dunia Fantasy theme park was inspired by a real traditional ship from the Sultanate of Maluku.
A Maritime Museum tour guide is always ready to provide an in-depth explanation of the boat-making process, as well as all there is to know about Indonesia’s maritime history. Visitors can find models and miniatures from the VOC era, along with modern vessels and various maritime equipment. Tools used by sailors of days past, such as anchors, lighthouse models, and cannons are also on display, accompanying collections of marine life specimens and data on the types and distribution of fish found in Indonesian waters. A mini theatre plays movies about the museum’s history and Indonesia’s maritime heritage for the little ones who want a respite from the tour without losing out on all the fun facts.
A short walk from the main building lies the Syahbandar Tower. Built in 1839 as a watchtower and customs office, it stands slightly leaning to the side. The tower’s lowest floor was used as a prison for thieves caught stealing the spices and other related crimes. By 1886, as trade moved to Tanjung Priok, the tower’s importance waned. Today, visitors can climb to the top and soak in a panoramic view of the old harbour, savouring a sight unchanged from the days when spice-laden ships dotted the horizon.
Just a five-minute drive from the Maritime Museum stands one of the oldest bridges in Jakarta, Kota Intan Bridge. Built in 1628, it was originally called the Ophaalburg, a Dutch term for a drawbridge (the last of its kind in Indonesia), designed to lift and allow passing ships to dock along the once-busy waterway. In its prime, the bridge was a gateway for spice-laden vessels carrying the wealth of Indonesian’s spices from Museum Bahari to the main port before being shipped off to the eager European markets.
Kota Intan Bridge has endured floods, wars, and reconstructions. The original wooden structure was washed away by a flood in 1655, leading to its first major repair. In 1937, the Oudheidskundige Dienst (Archaeological Service) restored it once again, renaming it Ophaalbrug Juliana, after the then-Dutch princess who later became queen. But following Indonesia’s independence, the bridge was reclaimed by the city and given its current name—Jembatan Kota Intan, inspired by the nearby Bastion Diamant (intan means “diamond” in Indonesian). Now, with its wooden railings and staircases above a tranquil river surrounded by scenic streets next to its banks, the bridge makes for an iconic Old Jakarta snapshot, especially at sunset.
A fun way to get to the museum is to rent a vintage bicycle from Fatahillah Square, Kota Tua and cycle there, allowing you to soak up the area’s old town atmosphere.
How to get there:
By train : Take the KRL Commuterline, make a stop at the Jakarta Kota Station. There will be a 20 minute walking route from the station to Museum Bank Indonesia. Continue onto Jalan Pintu Besar Utara and walk straight until you reach Jalan Pasar Ikan. Cross the road, and you will find Museum Bahari. Or you can rent a vintage bicycle from Kota Tua to reach the museum.
By bus : Take the TransJakarta Bus, and make a stop at Halte Kota. Walk towards Café Batavia, turn left, and then take a right. Continue straight until you see an Indomaret. Take TransJakarta GR4 from Terminal Kota Intan and alight directly in front of Museum Bahari.
Opening Hours: Tuesday–Sunday, 8am to 3pm.
Jakarta Maritime Museum
Jl. Ps. Ikan No.1, RT.11/RW.4, Penjaringan, Kec. Penjaringan, North Jakarta
IG: @museumkebaharianjkt
Pitung’s House
Rumah Si Pitung
Moving to the northeastern side of Jakarta’s coastline, you will find Rumah Si Pitung or Pitung’s House. Located in Marunda, this is where the lines between history and folklore begin to blur. Built in 1880, Rumah Si Pitung was originally the private home of Haji Syafiudin, a wealthy merchant from Makassar. Its size alone speaks to his success—a grand Betawi-style stilt house, elevated on wooden pillars with intricate carvings and wide, breezy verandas typical of the era.
According to various accounts, between the 1880s and 1890s, the infamous Pitung (a Robin-Hood like figure who distributed his stolen riches from the Dutch to the poor Betawi people) and his group sought refuge in this house while on the run from the Dutch. That was enough to tie the house to the legend, and in the 1970s, when Jakarta’s government scoured the city for historical sites, they claimed it as the infamous bandit’s hideout—even though Pitung himself was more likely from Rawa Belong, on the other side of Jakarta. The house was officially renamed Rumah Si Pitung, and today, it stands as a museum celebrating Betawi heritage and the spirit of defiance.
The moment you enter, you step into a different Jakarta—one without the cloak of modernity. The house has been restored to its 19th-century glory, its dark wooden floors and latticed windows revived to how they would have looked like in Pitung’s time. Inside, you’ll find traditional Betawi weapons and period furniture.
A guide will give you various versions of Pitung’s story, from the 1970s action-packed film starring Dicky Zulkarnaen (admittedly more fiction than fact) to the more historically grounded version of the Pituan Pitulung, a group of seven warriors trained in Islamic studies and martial arts to fight the Dutch. They dressed and looked the same and would fool people into thinking that they were just one person called Pitung.
Just a short trip away is Masjid Al-Alam. This 17th-century mosque is one of Jakarta’s oldest and is said to have been the headquarters for Sultan Agung during his war against the Dutch. The mosque also houses the tomb of Jamiun Abdullah, believed to be one of Pitung’s mentors.
So, was Pitung real? Well, the house won’t give you a definitive answer—but that’s what makes it so intriguing. The mystery of Si Pitung endures, whether you believe he was a lone bandit, a group of rebels, or merely the product of folklore. After all, some stories are too good to let go.
How to get there:
By train : Stop at Tanjung Priok Station, then take the subway to Rusun Marunda.
By bus : Take a JakLingko bus from Pulo Gadung, transit at Tanjung Priok, and get off at Rusun Marunda. From there, it’s just a 500-metre walk.
Opening Hours: Tuesday–Sunday, 08.00 am to 04.00 pm (Visitors who arrive before 4 PM can stay for an extra hour.)
Rumah Si Pitung
Jl. Kampung Marunda Pulo, 2, RT.2/RW.7, Marunda, Kec. Cilincing, North Jakarta
