Kota Tua Jakarta, Colonial district in North Jakarta, Indonesia.
Kota Tua Jakarta is a colonial district in the northern part of the capital that includes several museums, open squares, and a historic harbor. The streets run between two-story buildings with brick facades and wooden doors that recall Dutch urban planning from the 17th century.
The Dutch East India Company founded the settlement in 1619 after destroying the previous city of Jayakarta. The colonial administration built canals, fortified walls, and a central town hall to secure the port as a trading center.
The district comes alive with street performers and roaming vendors selling local snacks and drinks between the old facades. Visitors often rent colorful bicycles to explore the cobbled paths between the historic buildings.
Museums typically close in the early afternoon, so visiting in the morning helps you see the collections without rushing. Wide squares offer shade under large trees and arcades that provide relief during hot days.
The old drawbridge Jembatan Kota Intan from 1628 is the only remaining movable bridge from the Dutch colonial era in all of Indonesia. It was originally built to let ships pass toward the harbor, and its mechanism is still visible today.
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