Tag Archives: batavia

Batavia – Gereja Sion (The Portuguese Church)

Posted on June 15, 2022 by ianburnet

The Gereja Sion, built around 1693, is the oldest building in Jakarta that is still used for its original purpose and the Church’s massive columns and walls have allowed it to stand for over three hundred years. The site of … Continue reading →

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Oost-Indisch Huis (East India House)

Posted on September 17, 2018 by ianburnet

East India House in Amsterdam, built in 1606, was the first building especially built for the United East India Company (VOC) and was the centre of all its business activities. The buildings have been preserved and are now part of … Continue reading →

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Batavia – Onrust Island

Posted on May 15, 2018 by ianburnet

Pulau Onrust is an island in Jakarta Bay that was developed by the Dutch East India Company (VOC) as a shipyard to repair their ships. Consequently it housed a permanent staff of artisans such as carpenters, sailmakers, ropemakers etc.etc. The … Continue reading →

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Batavia and the Dutch Golden Age

Posted on January 16, 2018 by ianburnet

The exhibition Rembrandt and the Dutch Golden Age: Masterpieces from the Rijksmuseum, is on display at the Art Gallery NSW until 18 February. The United East India Company (VOC), one of the world’s first joint stock companies, was founded in … Continue reading →

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The Mardijkers of Batavia – The music of the Keroncong Tugu Band

Posted on September 18, 2017 by ianburnet

For those who like some of the best of keroncong music, follow the link to various performances of the Keroncong Tugu Band: For all SeaTrekkers, don’t forget to watch the Medley Ambon as it will will bring back white waves … Continue reading →

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The Forgotten Mardijkers of Batavia

Posted on September 16, 2017 by ianburnet

In 1699 the population of Batavia consisted of 3679 Chinese, 2407 Mardjikers or Portuguese Eurasians, 1,783 Dutch, 670 Dutch Eurasians and the original inhabitants or Orang Betawi. These Portuguese Eurasians had been brought to Batavia as slaves or indentured labour … Continue reading →

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East Indies – A Story of Spices, Gunpowder and Opium

Posted on July 18, 2017 by ianburnet

News Update. East Indies is now out in a paperback edition and available on order from your favorite bookstore or your favorite online retailer for A$29.95. In 1497 Vasco da Gama rounded the Cape of Good Hope, his small Portuguese … Continue reading →

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Old Batavia – The Harbourmasters Tower

Posted on March 23, 2017 by ianburnet

This lithograph from 1844 by C.W.M van de Velde shows Indonesian prahus alongside the landing dock or Aanleg Plaats on the Main Canal at the interior of Sunda Kelapa harbour. A harbour which is still used by the large Bugis … Continue reading →

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Treasure Ships – Art in the Age of Spices – Part 1

Posted on June 22, 2015 by ianburnet

This exhibition at the Art Gallery of South Australia includes 300 outstanding and rarely-seen works of ceramics, decorative arts, furniture, metalware, paintings, prints, and textiles from public and private collections around the world. The selected works of art reveal how … Continue reading →

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Fort Nieuw Victoria, Ambon — A Mystery Solved?

Posted on April 20, 2015 by ianburnet

A fort on this location was built by the Portuguese in the 1500’s and then captured by the first war fleet commissioned by the United Dutch East India Company in 1605 and commanded by Steven van de Hagen. The fort … Continue reading →

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