Wayang Museum (Museum Wayang) is a cultural gem located in Jakarta’s historic Old Town (Kota Tua), dedicated to the traditional art of Indonesian puppetry. Situated on Jalan Pintu Besar Utara No. 27, the museum faces the iconic Fatahillah Square and is easily accessible via the nearby Kota Train Station. The museum is housed in a building with a rich history. Originally, the site was occupied by the Old Dutch Church (Oude Hollandsche Kerk), constructed in 1640. After an earthquake destroyed the church in 1808, a new building was erected in 1912 in the Neo-Renaissance style, serving various purposes over the years. In 1975, it was officially inaugurated as the Wayang Museum.
The Wayang Museum boasts an extensive collection of over 6,000 puppets from Indonesia and around the world. Highlights include:
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Wayang Kulit: Traditional Javanese shadow puppets made from leather.
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Wayang Golek: Three-dimensional wooden puppets from West Java.
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Wayang Klitik: Flat wooden puppets.
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Wayang Beber: Scroll-based storytelling puppets.
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International Puppets: Including Chinese Poo The Hie, French Guignol, English Punch and Judy, Indian Kathakali dolls, and more.
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Si Unyil: Beloved Indonesian television puppet characters from the 1980s.
Opening Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM. Closed on Mondays and public holidays.
Entrance Fee: IDR 5,000 for adults and IDR 2,000 for children.
