Rumah si Pitung, Colonial-era museum in Cilincing, Indonesia
Rumah si Pitung is a museum building in a coastal Jakarta neighborhood, standing on 40 wooden pillars and combining traditional Betawi architecture with design elements from Bugis influences. The structure shows a blend of local building traditions visible in its timber construction and elevated design approach.
The house was built in the early 1900s and belonged to Haji Saipudin, a wealthy fish merchant from Makassar who sheltered Si Pitung during the 1890s. This connection reveals ties between established merchants and local resistance movements of that era.
The museum displays objects and photographs that tell the story of Si Pitung, a folk hero who stood against colonial oppression and injustice toward poor communities. The collection shows how this figure is remembered and valued by local people as a symbol of resistance.
The museum opens daily from morning to afternoon with guided tours explaining the architecture and historical context. Visitors should wear comfortable shoes since wooden stairs are quite steep and rooms spread across multiple levels.
The building was elevated by about 4 meters in 2010 to protect it from flooding, while keeping all original wooden elements intact. This adaptation shows how historic structures can face modern coastal challenges without losing their character.
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