Exploring Yogyakarta’s Rich History: A Journey through Vredeburg Fort Museum

Photo via Wikipedia

Written by Amelia Putri

Edited by Ninik Tri Astutik

Do you know there is a very famous museum in Yogyakarta? If we cross Jalan Malioboro, along this road up to zero kilometers, we will find commercial and colonial buildings, including Vredeburg Fort Museum. Have you heard about this building? It’s your sign to come to this Museum if you haven’t. But how do we go to the Museum? To get to the Vredeburg Museum, we can use public or private transportation, and you can freely choose which one you prefer. One public transportation we can use in Yogyakarta is Trans Jogja. Then, what is Trans Jogja?

Trans Jogja is a public transportation widely used by Jogja people, from young to adults. Trans Jogja runs daily from 05:30 to 21:30, except on special days when the operating hours’ change. With these hours of operation, it will be easier for the local community to use the Trans Jogja. First, you can wait at the bus stop near your house. The bus will stop every ten minutes. Second, you have to buy a ticket that costs around Rp. 3,600, and Rp. 2,700 when you’re on a subscription. Along the way up to the Museum, you will stop at the Malioboro bus stop. Arriving at the Museum, you pay Rp. 3,000 for the entrance tickets and you can see everything in the Museum. Then, what is Museum Vredeburg? And what will you see in this Museum? 

Vredeburg Fort Museum is one of the buildings that has become a silent witness to historical events in Yogyakarta since the Dutch colonial arrived in Yogyakarta. The Vredeburg Fort Museum has four diorama rooms. Diorama 1 consists of 11 mini-ramas depicting events from the time of Prince Diponegoro to the Japanese occupation of Yogyakarta. Diorama 2 consists of 19 mini-ramas depicting the historical events of Proclamation Day from the Dutch Military Aggression in Indonesia. Diorama 3 consists of 18 mini-ramas depicting events from the Renville Agreement to the recognition of the sovereignty of the United States of Indonesia. Diorama 4 consists of 7 mini-ramas that depict historical events from the period of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia to the New Order period. 

When I visited the Museum, one room caught my attention: the digital diorama. The diorama was displayed with a projector and explained about “Serangan Umum 1 Maret.” This immersive experience made me understand better and appreciate the value of Yogyakarta’s history. A visit to the Vredeburg Fort Museum truly enriches the passage of time and offers a deeper understanding of the historical events that shaped this city. 

For this reason, the Vredeburg Fort Museum is a must-visit destination for a glimpse into the historical events in Yogyakarta. With four diorama rooms, the Museum beautifully presents key moments to enhance our self-awareness of the Special Region of Yogyakarta. A visit to this famous Museum is a journey that will make visitors feel the deep historical significance of this region.