Housed in restored Dutch East India Company warehouses at historic Sunda Kelapa harbor, this museum celebrates Indonesia’s maritime heritage and the Bugis sailing traditions that shaped the archipelago’s economy.
At a glance
The Maritime Museum occupies the old harbor district of Penjaringan, where colonial-era warehouses now preserve Indonesia’s relationship with the sea. Its collections span fishing vessels, maritime objects, and the celebrated Pinisi schooners of South Sulawesi’s Bugis people—among the world’s last traditional ocean-going sailing fleets.
History
The museum was established within former warehouses of the Dutch East India Company, converting colonial infrastructure into a space for Indonesian maritime memory. In January 2018, a severe fire caused by electrical short circuit destroyed much of the collection, though evacuated goods were later recovered.
What you see
The museum is housed in restored Dutch colonial warehouse structures in the Sunda Kelapa harbor precinct. Inside, displays include detailed models of fishing boats from across the Indonesian archipelago alongside original maritime artifacts and equipment that document centuries of seafaring tradition.
Cultural significance
The Maritime Museum underscores the sea’s centrality to Indonesian identity and economic life. The Pinisi schooners, with their distinctive rigging and hull design, represent a living maritime heritage—one of few places globally where traditional wooden sailing vessels remain actively used for trade and fishing.
Key facts
- Location: Penjaringan Administrative Village, Penjaringan Subdistrict, Jakarta
- Country: Indonesia
- Coordinates: -6.12698333, 106.8083
- Housed in former Dutch East India Company warehouses
Practical information & getting there
The museum is situated in the historic Sunda Kelapa harbor district in north Jakarta. You can reach it by local transport to the Penjaringan area. Consult current opening hours and access information before visiting, particularly following the 2018 fire damage and restoration work.
Sources & resources
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