- Address: Jl. Jend. Gatot Subroto No.14, RT.6 / RW.1, Kuningan Bar., Mampang Prpt., Kota Jakarta Selatan, Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta 12710, Indonesia
- Contact phone: +62 21 5227946
- Website: sejarahtni.org
- Opening hours: every day, except Monday, from 9:00 to 14:30
- Year of foundation: 1972
The Armed Forces Museum of Indonesia , also known as Satria Mandala, is the main military museum in the country. Its territory is huge, and the collection has many historical exhibits, weapons and military equipment. This is an excellent option for families with children.
Location:
The museum is located in southern Jakarta , the capital of Indonesia, on Gatot Sobrotou Street, in Western Cunningen.
History of the museum
The idea of opening a modern Armed Forces Museum in the country, telling about the role of the army in the development of the country, belongs to Nugroho Notosusanto, a professor of history at the University of Indonesia. To place the exhibits, the Bogor Palace was first considered, but this project was rejected by the President of Indonesia, Haji Mohammed Suharto. Then it was decided to re-equip the Visma Yaso building, built in the 1960s for the president's wife, Devi Sukarno. To remake this house in Japanese style began in November 1971. Almost a year later, on the Day of the Army, on October 5, 1972 the museum was officially declared open and began to receive the first guests. At that time only 2 dozens of dioramas were placed in it. After 15 years, another pavilion was built. In 2010, the Museum of the Armed Forces of Indonesia was included in the list of cultural assets of the country.
What interesting things can you see?
The Museum of the Armed Forces of Indonesia covers an area of 5.6 hectares. It is located in 3 buildings and partly on outdoor exhibition grounds.
The names Sathrya Mandala in Sanskrit means "the sacred place of the knights". And there really are a lot of weapons, armor and materials to be used in combat. In addition, there are many photographs, portraits and other exhibits. In the exhibition halls there are the following departments:
- Room with the flags of military associations.
- Room of artifacts of the Chief of Staff - General Urypa Sumoharjo, Commander-in-Chief of the Army - General Sudirman, as well as generals Abdul Haris Nasution and General Suharto.
- A hall of heroes with full-sized statues of national heroes of Indonesia, among which the aforementioned generals Sudirman and Urypa.
- The weapons room , where various rifles, grenades, sharpened bamboo sticks and other weapons dating back to 1940 and later are concentrated.
- 75 dioramas , dedicated to various battles before independence, revolution and even struggle after its termination.
Among all the exhibits of the museum, special attention should be paid to:
- the draft declaration of independence of Indonesia, prepared by the President of the country, Sukarno;
- Palankin General Sudirman of his times as partisan.
Under the open sky is a collection of military vehicles and other military equipment. Here you can see:
- ship KRI Pattimura, who took part in the fighting in Papua;
- aircraft AT-16 Harvard, B-25 Mitchell, P-51 Mustang;
- President RI 001 aircraft and Mi-4 helicopter;
- Jeep Willys MB General Sudirman;
- tanks;
- ambulances.
The museum can be freely visited by all comers. It will be especially interesting for those who are fascinated by the history of weapons and military equipment.
How to get there?
You can get to the Museum of the Armed Forces of Indonesia both by public transport (express buses "Transjakarta"), and by taxi (Blue Bird official blue cars), rented a motorcycle or a car. Express buses leave from the airport from Terminal 2 to Gatot Sobrotou Street.