I did not expect much from the Museum Bank Indonesia in North Jakarta, but after my visit I must say that it is one of the best things to do during the day in the city.
Inaugurated in 2009 in the former building of the De Javasche Bank, the ancestor of Bank Indonesia, it is a modern museum, clean and rather well-organized. The building itself is over a hundred year old and was designed by the famous Dutch architect Eduard Cuypers.
It presents a good introduction to the history of the economic development of Indonesia, from early spice merchants until today. It is also interesting to understand better the Dutch colonization.
The last section of the museum focuses on money with hundreds of currencies from all over the world on display. Kids might enjoy this part a little bit more.
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| This clock was offered by the Dutch Central Bank to celebrate the 100 years of De Javasche Bank |
How to go there:
The Museum is located in the Old Town (Kota Tua), near Taman Fatahillah and opposite the Kota train station. If you come from South Jakarta, it can be faster to use the busway line 1 running from Blok M to Kota. Be careful as the Bank Indonesia itself is in a different building on Jalan Thamrin.
Duration of visit:
The visit lasts about 2 hours.
Opening Hours Museum Bank Indonesia:
From Tuesday to Thursday from 8am to 3h30pm.
Friday from 8am to 3h30pm (closed from 11h35am to 1pm for prayer)
Saturday and Sunday from 8am to 4pm
Closed on Monday and Public Holidays.
Entrance ticket:
Rp 5,000
English explanations:
75% of the displays.
Contact details:
Museum Bank Indonesia
Jalan Pintu Besar Utara No. 3
North Jakarta - Indonesia
Phone number: +62 21 2600 158
Fax number: +62 21 260 1730
Email: museum@bi.go.id
Surabaya also has a Bank Indonesia Museum that opened in January 2012.
Social medias
Website: Museum BI
Facebook: Museum Jakarta BI
Twitter: Bank Indonesia Museum
Weddings, Receptions, Events
It is actually possible to rent the Museum Bank Indonesia for private parties, in particular for weddings. To do so, you can contact them directly through their Heritage website.