With its large 1,200 capacity and excellent acoustics, this is the place to enjoy classical music concerts in Jakarta. Inside, the décor is splendidly outlandish and the red and gold hues are in perfect harmony with the golden statues of muses who are all holding a musical instrument. Portraits of famous composers on the walls add to the hall’s splendor, and there is also a magnificent Steinway and Sons grand piano as well as a huge 10 ton Cassavant organ! Besides Western classical music, there are also interpretations of Indonesian classical music featuring instruments such as the angklung, a musical instrument comprising two bamboo tubes attached to a bamboo frame. For information on upcoming performances check out the website. - Martin Jenkins
This extravagantly beautiful mosque sits on nine and a half hectares of land. Incredibly, President Soekarnoto chose a Christian architect to design it. Construction lasted from 1961 to 1967, but its official opening did not occur until 1978. One of the largest mosques in Southeast Asia, Mesjid Istiqlal can accommodate more than 10,000 people and 800 vehicles. It comprises five levels, and its walls, walkways and floors are almost entirely covered with marble from Tulungagung, East Java.
Situated on 120 hectares of land in the east of Jakarta, this unique complex offers visitors with limited time and the opportunity to see all of Indonesia's 27 provinces in an afternoon! The complex features life-sized replicas of traditional architecture from each province, a miniature version of the Indonesian archipelago, a series of museums and a number of well-maintained parks and gardens. The park's centerpiece is a beautiful artificial lake. The complex was the brainchild of Madam Tien Soeharto, the late Indonesian first lady.
Designed in a neo-gothic style, this cathedral was finally completed in 1901, after almost a decade of idle time due to financial difficulties. Beautifully decorated with holy pictures and figures, it is said to be the largest and most unique center of Catholicism in Jakarta. A small history museum on the second floor of the tower exhibits various artifacts and memorabilia related to the church. A small candle factory is located behind the grotto.
A spellbinding collective of over a hundred islands, the Thousand Islands is a tourist's wonderland and a nature lover's dream. These tropical islands are strewn across Jakarta Bay, and, rather misleadingly, are called the Thousand Islands. With a human population only running in thousands, the bay contains a sprinkling of delightful atolls and islands, out of which most are uninhabited and some, privately owned. Shrouded in layers of long-standing history comprising defenses and Dutch colonists, the Thousand Islands now sit sheathed in increasingly-dramatic landscapes which roll into one another. Boasting a spectacular coral reef system, the archipelago is a rich repository of enchanting marine life, including clams, varicolored sea worms, green sea turtles and hawksbill sea turtles, among many others. Bathed in a nonpareil tropical aura and home to the Thousand Islands Marine National Park, this spellbinding archipelago is where nature unveils its most magnificent layers, one island at a time.
Bearing an enormous scale of 132 meters (433 feet), and topped with flame-shaped gold of monumental proportions, this imposing obelisk is an emblematic landmark of Jakarta. Construction of the monument started in 1961 under President Soekarno but was not completed until 1975, under President Soeharto. Taking pride of place in the heart of the city, this obelisk serves as a solemn tribute to the country's unfettered, long-standing journey towards independence. Dominating Jakarta's scintillating skyline, the national monument's design philosophy is deeply entrenched in ancient Indonesian ideologies, hence being rooted in its history, whilst also keeping up with the contemporary times. Inside the monument is the National History Museum, The Freedom Hall, which depicts Indonesia's struggle for independence through a series of dioramas, whereas the Hall of Contemplation displays the original Declaration of Independence document and a recording of the speech. An elevator takes one to the observation platform, which commands a bird's-eye view of the city.
Jakarta is known for its shining, sky-high skyscrapers, vibrant nightlife and great food and coffee. However, like most developing cities in the world, it also faces issues related to poverty. Ronny Poluan, a social activist and documentary filmmaker, organizes tours through the slums that exist within the bustling and rich landscape of the city. His aim is to bring awareness among the locals and tourists alike of the hardships faced by the slum dwellers and do his bit in raising funds for their food, housing, and children's education. Most of the tour fees are diverted towards this cause. Five tours are available, namely, Minima, Social Humanity, Ciliwung, Kampong, and Maxima. Each begins at a meeting place mentioned on the website, and takes you through the different slums where you can understand local history, present issues as well as interact directly with the residents.
With its large 1,200 capacity and excellent acoustics, this is the place to enjoy classical music concerts in Jakarta. Inside, the décor is splendidly outlandish and the red and gold hues are in perfect harmony with the golden statues of muses who are all holding a musical instrument. Portraits of famous composers on the walls add to the hall’s splendor, and there is also a magnificent Steinway and Sons grand piano as well as a huge 10 ton Cassavant organ! Besides Western classical music, there are also interpretations of Indonesian classical music featuring instruments such as the angklung, a musical instrument comprising two bamboo tubes attached to a bamboo frame. For information on upcoming performances check out the website. - Martin Jenkins
Claimed to be one of the finest art spaces in the city, Museum MACAN features some of the most impressive works of modern art. This unique art space digs deep into the world of modern art, thorough a collection intriguing works that throw light on a vast number of cultural, historical and social situations of the country. Apart from its permanent art collection, the museum also doubles up as an educational venue, playing host to numerous workshops and exhibitions wherein various topics of art and culture are left open for discussion.
This extravagantly beautiful mosque sits on nine and a half hectares of land. Incredibly, President Soekarnoto chose a Christian architect to design it. Construction lasted from 1961 to 1967, but its official opening did not occur until 1978. One of the largest mosques in Southeast Asia, Mesjid Istiqlal can accommodate more than 10,000 people and 800 vehicles. It comprises five levels, and its walls, walkways and floors are almost entirely covered with marble from Tulungagung, East Java.
Situated on 120 hectares of land in the east of Jakarta, this unique complex offers visitors with limited time and the opportunity to see all of Indonesia's 27 provinces in an afternoon! The complex features life-sized replicas of traditional architecture from each province, a miniature version of the Indonesian archipelago, a series of museums and a number of well-maintained parks and gardens. The park's centerpiece is a beautiful artificial lake. The complex was the brainchild of Madam Tien Soeharto, the late Indonesian first lady.
Designed in a neo-gothic style, this cathedral was finally completed in 1901, after almost a decade of idle time due to financial difficulties. Beautifully decorated with holy pictures and figures, it is said to be the largest and most unique center of Catholicism in Jakarta. A small history museum on the second floor of the tower exhibits various artifacts and memorabilia related to the church. A small candle factory is located behind the grotto.