Have you ever wondered what it feels like to come face-to-face with centuries-old artifacts? Well, you don’t need a time machine! You can experience this adventure right here at Penataran Museum, which is located at Penataran Street No. 11, Penataran, Nglegok District, Blitar Regency, East Java.
A Little Walk Down Memory Lane
The history of the Penataran Museum actually started way back in 1866 when Warso Kusumo began gathering around 142 objects from the Blitar Regency area and placing them at the Ronggo Hadinegoro Pavilion. In 1915, the museum, which initially housed only the collection of Warso Kusumo as the Regent of Blitar Regency at the time, changed its name to Blitar Museum, as the Center for the Conservation of Cultural Heritage Properties in Blitar Regency. Finally, in 1996, the museum was repurposed. Then in 1997, the museum was moved to the Penataran Tourism Area and officially renamed the Penataran Museum. The Governor of East Java, Basofi Sudirman, officially opened the Penataran Museum in 1998, and it stands strong to this day with a collection that just keeps growing.
What Can You Find Inside the Museum?
The collection here is not limited to archeological artifacts anymore. Over the years, it has expanded into four main categories: archeology, ethnography, numismatics, and ceramology. When you step inside, you can explore two separate exhibition rooms:
- The Archaeology Room: this is where you can find ancients statues (arca), reliefs, and historical inscriptions (prasasti)
- The Ethnography Room: Here you can discover traditional household and transportation tools, ancient Chinese coins, vintage banknotes, and unique ceramics.
Whether a researcher doing academic studies or just someone who wants to learn about the history and cultural values behind these historical objects, this museum provides everything needed for a great educational trip.
How To Access Penataran Museum
You can visit any day from Monday to Sunday, between 7.30 AM and 4.00 PM. The Penataran Museum is literally just a 5-minute walk from the Penataran Temple. Just a quick note that the museum is usually closed on national holidays! So what are you waiting for? Let’s scan the QR code below to get the directions or location to Penataran Museum!
Please click these site for more information:
Email: museumpenataran@gmail.com
Instagram: @museumpenatarankab.blitar
By : Mike Yulianti
Bahasa Inggris, Departemen Bisnis, Fakultas Vokasi,
Universitas Airlangga