Indonesia is a country with a rich historical background. So, a tour to this amazing country will be perfect, if you could take a peek into the world of ancient Indonesia. Then, the perfect place to be is the National Museum of Indonesia. Located in Jalan Medan Merdeka Barat, the National Museum of Indonesia is a prestigious attraction of central Jakarta. Widely known among the locals as the “Elephant Museum” this wonderful museum houses Indonesia’s proud legacy of two centuries.
The name “Elephant Museum” is denoted to this museum due to the bronze elephant sculpture that stands in front of the museum. The bronze elephant has an important significance as it was a gift from the king Chulalongkorn of Thailand to mark his visit to the museum.
The history behind this spectacular museum runs back to the 16th century. During that time, a few Dutch intellectuals created an institute with the intention of promoting the fields of art, archeology, and sciences. The foundation to this museum was laid when one of the founders donated a building with a collection of books and ornaments. In the course of time, many contributed to develop this collection and later the government, realizing the worth of this, opened a museum in the year 1862.
The Nation Museum houses a vast collection of artefacts from prehistoric times to the 19th century. There are also exhibits such as foreign ceramics, stone sculptures and treasures. This amazing museum is also known for containing the largest collection of Hindu-Buddhist art of ancient Indonesia. The large statue of Adityavarman is one fine example of this special spiritual legacy.
The treasure rooms also play a great role in this amazing museum. With rooms filled with gold and relics, you will for sure be mesmerized and spellbound at the extreme opulence on display. So with many more to see, a visit to this splendid museum will for sure enliven your vacation in Indonesia.
Looking for accommodation? Well then, a good choice would be a stay at the Millennium Hotel Sirih Jakarta. A central local and luxury interiors make this Jakarta hotel just perfect for a holiday vacation. Known for giving incomparable holiday experiences for its guests, this gorgeous hotel in Jakarta will allow you to enjoy every second of your trip.
Umanga Kahandawaarachchi is a passionate travel writer who writes under the pen name, Maggie Tulliver. Her field of writing covers a wide array of content and articles related to travel and hospitality industry.
