Jakarta is Indonesia's current capital and largest city, once known as Batavia. It is the largest urban area in Indonesia and second-largest in the world after Tokyo. It is one of the oldest continuously-inhabited cities in southeast Asia, established in the 4th century. The city is on the northwest coast of Java.
In August 2019 President Joha Widodo announced plans to move Indonesia's capital from Jakarta to the planned city of Nusantara in the province of East Kalimantan on the island of Borneo.
We had time for a brief day tour of Jakarta in September 2024 before we flew home from a dive trip to North Sulawesi.
Former United States President Barak Obama attended a public elementary school (3rd and 4th grades) near the old US embassy where his mother worked.
Jakarta Old Town (Kota Tua Jakarta) is the original downtown area of Jakarta, also known as Old Batavia. Some Dutch architecture remains.
The historical Chinatown is nearby.
Istiqial Mosque is the largest mosque in southeast Asia and third largest in the world, holding over 120,000 worshippers. The Arabic-modern building with stainless-steel pillars and ornaments was designed by architect Friedrich Silaba, the son of a Lutheran pastor in the Batale Protestant Christian Church.
Jakarta Cathedral (St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral) is the seat of the Roman Catholic archbishop of Jakarta. It is one of the oldest Catholic churches in Jakarta. The current building was consecrated in 1901 and built in the neo-Gothic style. The Terowongan Silaturahmi (Tunnel of Friendship) connects the cathedral with the nearby Istiqial Mosque. The two facilities share parking areas during large events. The Pope visited the cathdral in September 2024.
Jakarta Old Port serves wooden pinisi cargo ships, mostly from Sumatra. Pinisi carry seven to eight sails on two masts.
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Last modified 2 October 2024