Fatahillah Square

Fatahillah Square is the cobbled heart of Jakarta's old town, a broad open space ringed by Dutch colonial buildings that once formed the administrative centre of Batavia. Named after the sixteenth-century commander who captured the port, it is bordered by the former city hall, the post office and old bank buildings now serving as museums. On weekends it fills with families, street performers, food vendors and cyclists riding brightly painted rental bicycles. The heritage facades make it one of the capital's liveliest historic gathering places.