Museum Wayang

Situated at Jalan Pintu Besar Utara No. 27, West Jakarta, within the historic Kota Tua area, the Wayang Museum (Museum Wayang) stands on a site with deep historical roots. The original building was constructed in 1640 as the Dutch Old Dutch Church (De Oude Hollandsche Kerk). After suffering damage from an earthquake, the structure was rebuilt and later functioned as a warehouse before officially opening as a museum on August 13, 1975. The museum houses an extensive collection of over 5,000 puppets from across Indonesia and various international regions, including Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia, India, Vietnam, France, and China. Visitors can explore diverse traditional puppetry styles, ranging from Javanese wayang kulit (leather puppets) and wayang golek (wooden rod puppets) to rare international pieces like wooden puppets from Europe. The collection highlights master craftsmen work, historical puppet characters from the Mahabharata and Ramayana epics, and traditional mask collections. In addition to permanent exhibitions, the museum frequently hosts traditional wayang performances, puppet-making workshops, and cultural educational programs. It is open to the public from Tuesday through Sunday, typically closing on Mondays and national holidays. Located right across from the bustling Fatahillah Square, the museum offers an immersive, educational experience for cultural enthusiasts, history lovers, and travelers exploring Jakarta's historic district.