Did you know that one of the oldest and most beautiful buildings in Jakarta was once the home of a Dutch governor? Toko Merah, which means Red Store in Indonesian, is a stunning example of the Baroque style of architecture that dates back to the 18th century.
Located in the Old Town of Jakarta, also known as Kota Tua, Toko Merah is a must-see attraction for anyone visiting the capital city of Indonesia. In this article, we will explore the history and culture of Toko Merah, and show you why it is a hidden gem that you don’t want to miss.
History of Toko Merah
Toko Merah has a rich and fascinating history that spans over three centuries and reflects the changes and challenges that Jakarta faced over time.
The Dutch Colonial Era
Toko Merah was built in 1730 by the Dutch East India Company (VOC) as a warehouse and office for their trading activities. The building was designed by a Dutch architect named Jan Pieterszoon Coen, who was also the founder of Batavia, the former name of Jakarta. The building was originally painted white, but later changed to red to match the color of the VOC flag.
Toko Merah was not only a commercial center, but also a residential one. The building was the official residence of several Dutch governors-general, who ruled over the Indonesian archipelago during the colonial period. Some of the notable residents of Toko Merah were Gustaaf Willem van Imhoff, who expanded the VOC’s territory and influence in Asia, Baron van Riemsdijk, who improved the infrastructure and education in Batavia, and Herman Willem Daendels, who built the Great Post Road that connected the west and east coasts of Java.
Toko Merah witnessed many historical events and changes that shaped the fate of Jakarta and Indonesia. The building survived the Java War, a rebellion against the Dutch led by Prince Diponegoro, the British occupation, when Jakarta was briefly ruled by Sir Stamford Raffles, and the Napoleonic Wars, when the VOC was dissolved and the Dutch government took over the administration of Indonesia.
The Indonesian Independence and Beyond
Toko Merah became a symbol of the Indonesian struggle for independence from the Dutch colonial rule. The building was used as a meeting place and a headquarters for the Indonesian nationalists, who fought for their freedom and sovereignty. The building was also the site of several important events and ceremonies, such as the proclamation of the Republic of Indonesia by Sukarno and Hatta, the first president and vice president of Indonesia, and the transfer of power from the Dutch to the Indonesian government.
After the independence, Toko Merah served various roles and functions that reflected the development and progress of Jakarta and Indonesia. The building was used as a museum, a bank, a restaurant, and a cultural center. The building also underwent several renovations and restorations, but it preserved its original architecture and style. Today, Toko Merah is a protected heritage site that is open to the public and hosts various events and exhibitions.
Culture of Toko Merah
Toko Merah is not only a historical landmark, but also a cultural one. The building showcases the beauty and diversity of the Indonesian culture and art, as well as the influence and legacy of the Dutch culture and art.
The Architecture and Design
Toko Merah is an example of the Baroque style of architecture, which originated in Europe and spread to other parts of the world through colonization and trade. The Baroque style is characterized by its grandeur, symmetry, ornamentation, and contrast. Toko Merah has all these features and more, making it a unique and attractive building that stands out from its surroundings.
Toko Merah has a rectangular shape that is divided into three sections: the main building, the left wing, and the right wing. The main building has a triangular roof that is decorated with a pediment and a coat of arms. The left and right wings have flat roofs that are adorned with balustrades and statues. The building has a red color that contrasts with the white windows and doors. The building also has a symmetrical facade that is embellished with pilasters, cornices, and reliefs.
The interior of Toko Merah is equally impressive and elegant. The building has a spacious and airy hall that is illuminated by natural light from the windows and skylights. The hall has a high ceiling that is supported by columns and arches. The hall also has a wooden floor that is covered with carpets and rugs. The walls and ceilings of the hall are decorated with paintings, sculptures, furniture, and chandeliers, that depict the scenes and themes from the Indonesian and Dutch history and culture.
The Attractions and Activities
Toko Merah is a popular destination for tourists and locals alike, who want to enjoy the attractions and activities that the building and its surroundings offer. Toko Merah hosts various events and exhibitions that showcase the Indonesian and Dutch art and culture, such as art shows, cultural festivals, musical performances, and workshops. Visitors can also explore the building and learn more about its history and significance, through guided tours, audio guides, or interactive displays.
Toko Merah also offers various services and facilities that cater to the needs and preferences of the visitors, such as souvenir shops, cafes, and restaurants. Visitors can buy some unique and authentic souvenirs, such as handicrafts, batik, ceramics, and spices, that reflect the Indonesian and Dutch heritage. Visitors can also enjoy some delicious and diverse food and drinks, such as nasi goreng, gado-gado, rijsttafel, stroopwafel, and kopi luwak, that represent the Indonesian and Dutch cuisine.
Nearby Attractions and How to Get There
Toko Merah is located in the Old Town of Jakarta, also known as Kota Tua, which is the historical and cultural center of the city. The Old Town of Jakarta has many other attractions and landmarks that are worth visiting, as they offer a glimpse into the past and present of Jakarta and Indonesia.
The Old Town of Jakarta
The Old Town of Jakarta, or Kota Tua, is a 1.3 square kilometer area that was the original downtown of Jakarta during the Dutch colonial era. The area has many historical and cultural buildings and monuments that date back to the 17th and 18th centuries, such as museums, churches, mosques, temples, markets, and harbors. The area also has a lively and vibrant atmosphere, with street performers, vendors, artists, and tourists, who create a colorful and dynamic scene.
Some of the nearby attractions and how to get there from Toko Merah are:
Fatahillah Square: This is the main square of the Old Town, where many events and festivals take place. The square is surrounded by several museums, such as the Jakarta History Museum, the Wayang Museum, and the Fine Art and Ceramic Museum, that display the history and art of Jakarta and Indonesia. The square is also a popular spot for taking photos, riding bikes, and watching street performances. To get there from Toko Merah, you can walk for about 10 minutes along the Jalan Kali Besar Timur road.
Sunda Kelapa Harbor: This is the oldest harbor in Jakarta, where traditional wooden boats, called pinisi, dock and load and unload their goods. The harbor is a great place to see the maritime heritage and trade of Jakarta and Indonesia, as well as the daily life and activities of the sailors and workers. To get there from Toko Merah, you can take a taxi or a bus for about 15 minutes along the Jalan Kali Besar Barat road.
Bank Indonesia Museum: This is a museum that showcases the history and role of the Bank Indonesia, the central bank of the country, as well as the economic and monetary development of Indonesia. The museum has various exhibits and collections, such as coins, banknotes, documents, and artworks, that illustrate the evolution and challenges of the Indonesian economy and currency. To get there from Toko Merah, you can walk for about 5 minutes along the Jalan Pintu Besar Utara road.
Bank Mandiri Museum: This is a museum that showcases the history and role of the Bank Mandiri, one of the largest banks in Indonesia, as well as the banking and financial industry of Indonesia. The museum has various exhibits and collections, such as machines, equipment, furniture, and archives, that depict the operations and services of the bank and its predecessors. To get there from Toko Merah, you can walk for about 5 minutes along the Jalan Pintu Besar Utara road.
Jakarta Kota Station: This is the main railway station of the Old Town, and one of the oldest and busiest stations in Jakarta. The station has a distinctive architecture and design, that combines the European and Asian styles. The station is also a hub for transportation and tourism, as it connects the Old Town with other parts of Jakarta and Indonesia, and offers various tours and packages for visitors. To get there from Toko Merah, you can walk for about 10 minutes along the Jalan Pintu Besar Utara road.
Glodok Chinatown: This is the largest and oldest Chinatown in Jakarta, where the Chinese community has lived and thrived for centuries. The Chinatown is a colorful and lively area, where visitors can find various shops, markets, temples, restaurants, and street food, that offer a taste of the Chinese culture and cuisine. To get there from Toko Merah, you can take a taxi or a bus for about 10 minutes along the Jalan Gajah Mada road.
Jin De Yuan Temple: This is the oldest and most famous Chinese temple in Jakarta, also known as Vihara Dharma Bhakti. The temple was built in 1650 by the Chinese settlers, who came to Jakarta to trade and work for the VOC. The temple is dedicated to the Goddess of Mercy, Guan Yin, and other deities, such as Kwan Kong, Ma Zu, and Boddhidharma. The temple is a place of worship and celebration, especially during the Chinese New Year and other festivals. To get there from Toko Merah, you can walk for about 15 minutes along the Jalan Kemenangan road.
Luar Batang Mosque: This is one of the oldest and most revered mosques in Jakarta, also known as Masjid Luar Batang. The mosque was built in 1739 by a Muslim scholar and leader named Habib Husein bin Abu Bakar Alaydrus, who was also the founder of the Luar Batang Islamic boarding school. The mosque is a place of prayer and learning, as well as a place of pilgrimage and charity, for the Muslim community in Jakarta and beyond. To get there from Toko Merah, you can walk for about 10 minutes along the Jalan Luar Batang road.
Petak Sembilan Street Market: This is one of the most popular and crowded street markets in Jakarta, where visitors can find a variety of goods and products, such as clothes, accessories, electronics, antiques, and souvenirs, at bargain prices. The market is also famous for its street food, such as dim sum, noodles, dumplings, and durian, that are delicious and cheap. The market is open every day from morning to evening, but it is especially busy on weekends and holidays. To get there from Toko Merah, you can walk for about 20 minutes along the Jalan Kemenangan road.
How to Get to Toko Merah
Toko Merah is easily accessible from different locations and modes of transportation, such as the airport, the train station, the bus station, the taxi, the car, the bike, or the foot. Here are some tips and tricks for getting to Toko Merah, as well as some information and resources that can help you plan your trip.
From the airport:
The nearest airport to Toko Merah is the Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, which is about 30 kilometers away. The easiest and fastest way to get to Toko Merah from the airport is by taking a taxi or a car, which will cost you around 200,000 to 300,000 rupiah (14 to 21 USD) and take you about 45 minutes to an hour, depending on the traffic. You can also take a bus or a train from the airport to the Jakarta Kota Station, which will cost you around 50,000 to 70,000 rupiah (3.5 to 5 USD) and take you about an hour and a half to two hours, depending on the schedule and the traffic. From the Jakarta Kota Station, you can walk to Toko Merah for about 10 minutes.
From the train station:
The nearest train station to Toko Merah is the Jakarta Kota Station, which is about 1 kilometer away. The Jakarta Kota Station is connected to other major train stations in Jakarta and Indonesia, such as the Gambir Station, the Pasar Senen Station, the Bandung Station, and the Surabaya Station. From the Jakarta Kota Station, you can walk to Toko Merah for about 10 minutes.
From the bus station:
The nearest bus station to Toko Merah is the Harmoni Bus Station, which is about 3 kilometers away. The Harmoni Bus Station is connected to other major bus stations in Jakarta and Indonesia, such as the Lebak Bulus Bus Station, the Kalideres Bus Station, the Bogor Bus Station, and the Yogyakarta Bus Station. You can check the bus schedules and fares on the official website of the TransJakarta Busway, or on the mobile app of RedBus, a leading online bus booking platform in Indonesia. From the Harmoni Bus Station, you can take a taxi or a bus to Toko Merah for about 15 minutes.
From the taxi or the car:
You can easily find a taxi or a car to take you to Toko Merah from anywhere in Jakarta, as there are many taxi and car rental companies and services available in the city. You can also use online platforms, such as Grab, Gojek, or Blue Bird, to book a taxi or a car from your smartphone. The fare and the duration of the trip will depend on the distance and the traffic, but you can expect to pay around 10,000 to 15,000 rupiah (0.7 to 1 USD) per kilometer, and to spend around 30 minutes to an hour, on average.
From the bike or the foot:
You can also get to Toko Merah by riding a bike or walking from nearby areas, such as the Old Town, the Chinatown, or the Central Jakarta. This is a great way to enjoy the scenery and the atmosphere of the city, as well as to save money and time. You can rent a bike from various places in the city, such as the Fatahillah Square, the Sunda Kelapa Harbor, or the Jakarta Kota Station, for around 20,000 to 30,000 rupiah (1.4 to 2 USD) per hour. You can also use online platforms, such as Grab, Gojek, or Ofo, to book a bike from your smartphone. The distance and the duration of the trip will depend on the route and the speed, but you can expect to cover around 5 kilometers in 15 to 30 minutes, on average.
Toko Merah is a historical and cultural attraction in Jakarta that showcases the Dutch colonial era and the Indonesian independence. The building has a stunning architecture and design, and hosts various events and exhibitions that display the art and culture of Jakarta and Indonesia. Toko Merah is also located in the Old Town of Jakarta, which has many other attractions and landmarks that are worth visiting, such as museums, churches, mosques, temples, markets, and harbors. Toko Merah is easily accessible from different locations and modes of transportation, such as the airport, the train station, the bus station, the taxi, the car, the bike, or the foot.
If you are looking for a unique and memorable experience in Jakarta, don’t miss the chance to visit Toko Merah and discover its colonial legacy and cultural charm. Toko Merah is a hidden gem that you don’t want to miss.