Description of the attraction
Jakarta Cathedral is a Roman Catholic temple located in Central Jakarta Municipality. Near the cathedral is the famous Merdeka Palace, and in front of the cathedral is the Istiklal Mosque, which is the largest mosque in Southeast Asia.
The official name of the cathedral is the Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The temple is a cathedral because the bishop's chair is located here. The building of the cathedral, which we see today, was consecrated in 1901. The new building of the cathedral was built on the site of the old church, built around 1825-1829. In 1859, the building of the temple was renovated, but, unfortunately, destroyed around 1890. The new building of the cathedral was reconstructed twice - in 1988 and in 2002.
The architectural style of the cathedral is neo-Gothic, which is inherent in most of the churches built at that time. The temple is built in the shape of a cross. The main entrance to the temple is located on the west side. In the center of the main portal you can see a statue of the Virgin Mary, and the portal is crowned with an inscription in Latin. The facade is decorated with a stained-glass rose window, which is considered a symbol of the Mother of God. The cathedral is crowned with three spiers: the two highest - 60 meters - are located on the side portals, the third, 45 meters high, is located on the eastern side of the temple. The tower with a spire on the north side is called "Fort David" and symbolizes refuge and protection from the forces of darkness. The tower on the south side is called the "Ivory Tower" and symbolizes the purity of the Virgin Mary. There is an old clock on this tower that still works today. There is an organ inside the church, services are held to the accompaniment of organ music and the singing of the church choir.
The cathedral has two floors, the second floor houses the Museum of the History of the Catholic Church of Indonesia.
