Visitors to Medan can browse mid to small-sized museums devoted to the history and culture of North Sumatra, including Medan and its province’s military past. One of Indonesia’s more unusual natural history museums includes taxidermied wildlife displays. Most of Medan’s museums are located in or around the city center making multiple visits possible in one day.
State Museum of North Sumatra
As the largest museum in Northern Sumatra, it offers artefacts and exhibits related to the cultural heritage of Indonesia. Whilst the original building was erected in 1954, the museum was only launched in 1982. It includes two floors covering an area of nearly 10, 500 square meters. Visitors can browse permanent and temporary exhibitions, an audio-visual room, and ongoing lectures – all focused on the arts, crafts and local cultures that make up North Sumatra.
Address: Jl. HM. Joni No.51, Teladan Bar., Kec. Medan Kota, Kota Medan, Sumatera Utara 20217, Indonesia
Phone: +62 61 716792
Operating Hours:
– Monday: Closed
– Tuesday – Thursday: 8:00am – 4:00pm
– Friday – Sunday: 8:00am – 3:30pm
Admission Cost:
– IDR 10,000
Website (not official)
Rahmat International Wildlife Museum & Gallery
A natural history museum located in the center of Medan, the Rahmat International Wildlife Museum features wildlife displays spanning Indonesia and the world. Housed in a building with nearly 3,000 square meters of exhibition space, the museum includes a large taxidermy collection of wild animals amongst imitations of their natural habitats. On top of exciting exhibits, the museum also houses a library, souvenir shop, café and a photo studio.
Address: Jl. S. Parman No.309, Petisah Hulu, Kec. Medan Baru, Kota Medan, Sumatera Utara 20152, Indonesia
Phone: +62 61 4569964
Operating Hours:
Monday – Sunday: 9:00am – 5:00pm
Admission Cost:
– Adult: IDR 50,000
– Children: IDR 40,000
Website
Museum Perjuangan TNI
This small museum is focused on the history of Indonesia’s armed forces and includes various weapons, medicines and uniforms that were used during the Indonesian National Revolution. Originally opened in 1971, the museum includes various historical objects that capture the struggle of North Sumatra’s Indonesian people against imperialism .Visitors can travel back to Indonesia’s fight for freedom with weaponry displays across two floors.
Address: Jl. KH. Zainul Arifin No.8, Petisah Tengah, Kec. Medan Petisah, Kota Medan, Sumatera Utara 20151, Indonesia
Phone: +62 61 4556927
Operating Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00am – 3:30pm
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed
Admission Cost:
– FREE
Website
