Merdeka Square, Jakarta

For other places with the same name, see Merdeka Square and Koningsplein.
Merdeka Square
Public square
Indonesian: Medan Merdeka
Lapangan Merdeka
Former name(s): Lapangan Ikada
Koningsplein
A view of Merdeka Square with National Monument standing in the middle of the square.
A view of Merdeka Square with National Monument standing in the middle of the square.
FeaturesNational Monument, fountain, statues
Construction1961–1976
Opening date1976
Amenitiesparking
Area1 square kilometre (100 ha)
Surfacestone pavement and grass
Dedicated toIndonesia independence
LocationJakarta, Indonesia
Merdeka Square, Jakarta is located in Jakarta
Merdeka Square
Merdeka Square
Location of Merdeka Square in Jakarta
Coordinates: 6°10′31″S 106°49′38″E / 6.17528°S 106.82722°E / -6.17528; 106.82722

Merdeka Square (Indonesian: Medan Merdeka or Lapangan Merdeka, formerly Dutch: Koningsplein, lit. "King's Square") is a large square located in the center of Jakarta, Indonesia.[1] Merdeka is the Indonesian word for freedom or independence.[2] Measuring approximately one square kilometer in area, if the surrounding fields within the Merdeka Square are included, it is considered one of the largest squares in the world.[3] At 75 hectares, it is over five times the size of Tiananmen Square, and 12 times the size of Place de la Concorde.[4]

At its center stands the National Monument, often called Monas (Monumen Nasional).[5] The paved plaza surrounds the monument often host national events such as military and float parades, as well as civic demonstrations. Surrounding the Monument is now a park with a musical fountain in western side, and a deer enclosure where deer roam among the shady trees in the southeast corner.[6] The square is a popular destination for Jakartans for sports and recreation especially on weekends.[7]

It is surrounded by important government buildings such as the Merdeka Palace,[8] the National Museum, the National Library, Jakarta City Hall, Istiqlal Mosque, the Supreme Court and various governmental ministries.[6] During the colonial Dutch East Indies era the square was called Koningsplein (King's square).[9]

  1. ^ Kuoni - Far East, A world of difference. Page 93. Published 1999 by Kuoni Travel & JPM Publications
  2. ^ "Arti kata merdeka - Kamus Besar Bahasa Indonesia (KBBI) Online". kbbi.web.id (in Indonesian). Retrieved 2019-11-12.
  3. ^ Joshua Eliot; Liz Capaldi; Jane Bickersteth (2001). Indonesia Handbook, 3rd, page 85. Footprint Travel Guides. ISBN 9781900949514. Retrieved 21 March 2012.
  4. ^ Dovey (2010), p. 164
  5. ^ Jakarta guide Archived 2010-05-31 at the Wayback Machine
  6. ^ a b "The National Monument". Indonesia travel. Archived from the original on 28 May 2015. Retrieved 28 May 2015.
  7. ^ "Discover Indonesia: DKI Jakarta". Indonesia travel. Archived from the original on 30 May 2012. Retrieved 15 July 2012.
  8. ^ "A detailed travel guide to Jakarta". Archived from the original on 2010-12-22. Retrieved 2010-06-20.
  9. ^ "Merdeka Square in Jakarta". Archived from the original on 2012-03-09. Retrieved 2010-06-20.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)