Stutterheim-Era Archaeological Excavations to Recent Finds: Uncovering the Forgotten Structure of Batavia Castle

The history of Batavia as an emporium and colonial administration from the 17th century to the independence era began with a building known as the Batavia Castle. This building, which served as the administrative and governmental center of the VOC for approximately 200 years, was built at the mouth of the Ciliwung River by Jan Pieterszoon Coen. During Daendels’ era, the center of government was relocated to the southern area namely Weltevreden (present- Gambir, Jakarta) due to various environmental and political factors. The castle's materials were dismantled and repurposed for the construction of new government buildings in the new administrative center. Since then, the castle’s existence gradually faded from public memory, and the site underwent changes in function. The lack of historical records regarding the demolition led to uncertainty about whether the castle was entirely destroyed. Archaeological excavations conducted from 1940 to 2024 have finally shed light on this mystery. A feasibility study for the construction of Tongkol Public Housing (2021–2023) revealed not only remnants of the original castle but also structures from subsequent periods. This entire excavation effort has not only reconstructed the physical structure of Batavia Castle but also reflected the socio-political dynamics that shaped, dismantled, and reinterpreted this historic site.