Gambir is a district (Indonesian: kecamatan) in the administrative city of Central Jakarta, Indonesia..

[1] The area that is now Gambir District was originally a southern hinterland of Batavia with marshes and known for the gambier plant.

[2] When old Batavia (Jakarta) on the shore was abandoned save for its port aspects in favor of the healthier and cleaner southern neighborhood, the Gambir area was gradually urbanized and developed.

[3] The area around the large field was characteristically surrounded with colonial buildings, mansions, and other civic facilities.

Some of these buildings are restored and have become landmarks of Jakarta, such as the Willemskerk (now the Immanuel Church) and The Batavian Society of Arts and Science (now the National Museum).