Batavia Portico replica planned

JAKARTA: A replica of a 17th century gate, the Batavia Portico, will be constructed at the entrance of the Fish Market in West Jakarta, near the Museum Bahari, a city official said on Sunday.

Candrian Atahyat, head of the supervisory department at the Culture and Museum Agency, said his agency would discuss the plan with shop owners whose stores occupy the proposed location for the portico.

He said the shops' permits expired in 2005, after which the area would be cleared for the Batavia Portico.

The gate was originally made in the 17th century in the Netherlands. However, it never reached Jakarta because the ship carrying it, the Batavia, sank off the coast of western Australian in 1629.

In 1962, the Batavia was found along with its cargo, including the gate, which was later displayed at the Geraldton Museum in western Australia.

"We are trying to get the gate back here," Candrian said. --Antara