Museum Bank Mandiri
After leaving Newseum Cafe, I made a stop at Monumen Nasional. The intention was to visit Museum Monas and to get a chance to see Jakarta from the observation floor. What I completely forgot, however, that it was Saturday, and school holiday. Hence there was a very long queue in front of the entrance gate that could be seen from a distance. Did not want to lose time, I decided to turn back, got into the car, and headed towards Museum Bank Mandiri at Kota, the Jakarta's Old Town district.
Museums have long been abandoned by many parents and youngsters in big cities like Jakarta. Malls, movies, cafes, games, internet and other products of modern cultures have occupied people's lives. Hence, it was not surprising at all that there were quite a few people when I went around, exploring this huge old Art Deco style building from corner to corner, floor to floor.
Here's a view when I just entered into this very spacious museum.
A very old ledger was displayed at the 1st level.
Many people, and I was among them, grew up with this classical bank saving, TABANAS, Tabungan Nasional (National Savings).
Some of the rare breed of youngsters was seen exploring the museum.
I have no idea what kind of services that the above machine had ever provided to its users.
Different kind of tools and machines were displayed at the hall.
Children playground was also provided at an open space in the middle of the museum.
A kind of installation works depicted Jakarta in the old days.
Souvenirs can be purchased at this shop.
Series of photos were displayed along the wooden walls in one of the museum rooms.
A beautiful and antique painting is one of the museum precious collections.
A huge meeting room where important issues were once discussed and decided.
Beautiful stained glasses were found at the area between the first and the second floor.
Museum Bank Mandiri, the first banking museum in Indonesia, occupied an area of 22,176 square meters in what was known as the Netherlandche Handel Maatschappij NV building during the colonial era. It is located just across Kota Train Station and Kota Bus Station, and about 15 minutes drive from Gambir or Presidential Palace. The museum opens from Tuesday to Sunday, starting at 9 am to 4 pm.
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