Map the Story #25: Visiting the Aceh Tsunami Museum: Remembering a Devastating Disaster to Strengthen Mitigation |
Pengunjung di Museum Tsunami Banda Aceh.
Since its inauguration in February 2008, the Tsunami Museum has undergone significant transformation. Located near Blang Padang Square in Banda Aceh, the museum has become a favorite and iconic tourist destination in Aceh, Indonesia. In addition to commemorating the earthquake and tsunami of December 26, 2004, the museum also serves as a memorial to the devastating earthquake and tsunami, considered the deadliest disaster of the modern era.
Furthermore, the Tsunami Museum has now become a learning center for disaster education, particularly earthquakes and tsunamis. It's no wonder many students visit the museum, both on weekends and during school days. The millennial generation certainly doesn't have strong memories of the disasters that occurred in Aceh and several countries along the Indian Ocean coast.
I myself have visited the Tsunami Museum in Banda Aceh several times. The first was when I brought 20 students from the second batch of the Independent Student Exchange (PMM) program. The students came from various universities across Java, North Maluku, South Sulawesi, and West Nusa Tenggara. They had heard about the devastating tsunami in Aceh from various media outlets and social media platforms, but they didn't know the details.
It was inaugurated in 2008, but I first visited in late 2022. That was because I was bringing students from outside Aceh. Previously, I had only passed by the building because it's located in the center of Banda Aceh. Many hotels are located near the museum, and visitors can simply walk, although there are other options, such as taking a Grab or waiting for the Trans Kutaraja bus, the main mode of transportation in Banda Aceh.
How much #steem does it cost to pay for the Trans Kutaraja bus?
There used to be a fee, but now you only have to pay 0 #steem, which is free. However, you have to wait for the schedule and get off at the bus stop not far from the Tsunami Museum.
After visiting with students, I also visited with my family around 2024. However, the museum's condition has changed significantly.
The end of the year, it turns out, is not the best time to visit a museum in Indonesia, perhaps not even a suitable time for a vacation. Rain fell all day, hampering outdoor activities. Furthermore, since November 2025, several areas in Aceh have been hit by flooding. Transportation has been severely disrupted, and much of the infrastructure has been damaged.
Even upon entering the museum, they faced problems. Visitors who had to buy entrance tickets had to get wet because the museum management didn't provide umbrellas.
The museum's appearance has changed significantly compared to a few years ago. The water flowing from the entrance wall is no longer visible. It had given a profound impression of the tsunami. But the atmosphere still stirs the heart, with the continuous sound of dhikr (recitation of the Qur'an), just as it did during the earthquake and tsunami of December 26, 2004.
According to visitors who have visited the museum several times, the short films shown are still the same as before. There should be improvements based on the evaluation results so that visitors don't get the same spectacle. I saw several journalist friends in the short film, including Bang Moenir Noer, a reporter for RCTI television station who covered the tsunami live.
When the disaster struck, I was also on the ground in locations like Lhokseumawe and North Aceh. However, my coverage wasn't as devastating as what happened in Banda Aceh or West Aceh, the epicenter of the tsunami.
The screens displaying photos of the tsunami and the short film focused solely on the events in Banda Aceh, Aceh Besar, and the surrounding areas. In fact, the tsunami spread across the Indian Ocean. Some areas of Aceh were even affected overseas. Visitors should also be able to see photos and videos from other locations.
The disaster in Aceh attracted many international celebrities, such as footballer Cristiano Ronaldo and top actors. Unfortunately, there's no such information in the museum. The arrival of a number of important world figures—in addition to the UN Secretary-General—would be interesting to mention, demonstrating how the Aceh earthquake and tsunami disaster captured the attention of important people worldwide.
Disaster mitigation education should also be expanded in each room by utilizing digital technology. The Tsunami Museum is still lacking digital technology, even though it contributes to the success of educational programs for visitors.
Reva Ngulya Savi'ah, a student at Tidar University in Magelang, Central Java, admitted she didn't know the details of the tsunami that struck Aceh. However, from the museum, she could sense the panic and fear felt by the community.
"The Tsunami Museum is one of the reasons Reva chose Aceh as a student exchange location," said Reva, who was overjoyed when told she would be visiting the museum.
Reva also highlighted the water no longer flowing in the tsunami tunnel, which features high walls depicting the height of ocean waves. "Although the sound of dhikr (recitation of the Qur'an) reverberates, the water doesn't flow, making the atmosphere less tense," she said, wishing there were more guides available to serve visitors.
She also highlighted the "Prayer Well" with its list of victims' names, which is poorly maintained, as many of the name plates are almost falling off. She believes the many empty spaces could be utilized to improve disaster mitigation, especially for students. "If possible, have several earthquake and tsunami simulations for visitors every day," she suggested.
Khaira Lulvita, who has visited the Banda Aceh Tsunami Museum several times, made a similar suggestion. She believes the constantly flowing water in the Tsunami Alley should be maintained because it reflects the height of the waves, bringing visitors' imaginations back to the atmosphere of Sunday morning, December 26, 2004. "I hope the water flow on the wall is being repaired and will reappear. Some things need to be changed, but the unique atmosphere must be maintained," said Khaira Lulvita, who is now completing her studies at the Faculty of Law at Malikussaleh University in Lhokseumawe.
The current Governor of West Java, Ridwan Kamil, designed the Tsunami Museum with the theme "Rumoh Aceh as Escape Hill," inspired by the concept of the stilt houses characteristic of traditional Acehnese houses. Now, the building is a tourist destination in Aceh unlike any other in Indonesia.
The entrance fee to the Aceh Tsunami Museum is very cheap, only IDR 3,000 (2 #steem) for students and children, IDR 5,000 (4 #steem) for adults, and IDR 20,000 (15 #steem for foreign tourists).
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Google Maps:
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Alamat: Jl. Sultan Iskandar Muda No.3, Sukaramai, Kecamatan Baiturrahman, Kota Banda Aceh, Aceh 23116
Arsitek: M Ridwan Kamil
Dibuka: 26 Desember 2009
Provinsi: Aceh
Telepon: (0651) 40774
Jam:
Buka pukul 09.00 WIB
Tutup pukul 12.00 WIB
Buka kembali pukul 14.00 WIB
Tutup pukul 16.00 WIB
IG: @museumtsunami.id
Bersama mahasiswa peserta Program Magang Merdeka.
Thank so much @sualeha. Have a nice day.