Brunei Museum
The Brunei Museum was established in 1965, with its first administrative office
at the Civic Centre in Bandar Brunei, now known as Bandar Seri Begawan. Given approval
for a building of its own, a location was selected for the museum, on a historical
site, at Kota Batu about 5km from Bandar Seri Begawan.
Brunei Museum (Muzium Brunei) - Located on an archeological site at Kota Batu about
5 km (3.1 mi) from Bandar Seri Begawan, this museum is the largest in the country.
It was first established in 1965 and occupied its present site since 1970. Officially
opened in 1972, the museum focuses on Islamic history, natural history, Brunei artifacts
and customs, ceramics and the oil industry of Brunei. The museum is reachable by
public transport (Bus No. 39). Its exhibition galleries consist of the following:
Islamic Art Gallery: The gallery displays a magnificent collection of Islamic art
belonging to the sultan, Hassanal Bolkiah and is the main highlight. The collection
comprises a wide range of objects covering the artistic production of various Islamic
regions from the transitional and early Islamic periods to the 19th century.
The History and Technology of Brunei Darussalam's Petroleum Gallery: The state's
main industry is presented in this gallery, covering descriptive narratives on the
origin and formation of oil, process of drilling, refining, the history of the petroleum
industry in Brunei and a map depicting current oil fields. Brunei Traditional Culture
Gallery: Brunei's material culture is presented in this gallery. The objects displayed
in the gallery shows the customs and the culture of the people from the birth till
marriage. There is also a fine collection of brassware, and especially canons for
which the country is traditionally renowned.
Natural History Gallery: The gallery exhibits a wide range of natural history subjects
and especially the fauna of Brunei. Some of the exhibits are presented in the form
of diorama techniques to form a realistic form of their natural habitat.
Brunei Darussalam Archeology and History Exhibition Gallery: It exhibits the history
of the country beginning from the prehistoric period up to independence in 1984.
Contact Details : Street Address: Brunei Museums Department, Ministry of Culture,
Youth and Sports, Jalan Menteri Besar, BB3910, Brunei Darussalam
