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39-409: Lapangan Banteng Park is located in the area. There are also streets named Jalan Lapangan Banteng Utara (North), Selatan (South), Barat (West) and Timur (East), surrounding the square. The square measures roughly 230 x 250 meters, with orientation slightly tilted east north east from the northeast corner of Merdeka Square . The West Irian Liberation Monument column built in 1963 stood in the center of

78-478: A city tour bus stop located in front of Balai Kota Jakarta. A line of DAMRI airport bus service connects Soekarno-Hatta International Airport with Gambir Station. The square is also accessible using taxi , three wheeled bajaj , and several lines of MetroMini and Kopaja minibusses. In the future, the Jakarta MRT is planned to operate Monas subway station on the western side of the square. The station

117-522: A larger central garden around the monument. The asphalt road was changed to French stone pavement and created a grand plaza around the monument. The Merdeka square consists of two zones: There are four parks in Merdeka Square according to the cardinal points: Merdeka square is the heart of Jakarta as well as the centre of Indonesia. Many important government and cultural buildings are located around this central park of Jakarta. The square

156-549: A military orchestra was played in public. People from the upper rank of the society paraded around the square with their horse-drawn carriages. Governor General Herman Willem Daendels originally intended to have the government centralized in Waterloo Square and had a palace built there. However the plan wasn't carried out by his predecessor and the construction was delayed and the mansion of van Braam in Rijswijk became

195-711: A monument to commemorate the struggle for independence. His ambition was to make the Monas the tallest building in Jakarta, higher than Borobudur and larger than the Eiffel Tower . A design competition was held in 1956, followed by a second competition in 1960, however the President was not satisfied by the design entries, and no winner was announced. Instead Sukarno — who had previously studied architecture — asked architects to refine sketches made by himself. The design of

234-451: A stadium and sports facilities on Koningsplein . The locals called the square Lapangan Gambir , after Uncaria gambir , a plant which grows around the field. The Lapangan Gambir became the location of Pasar Gambir , a Pasar Malam (night market) fair and festival to commemorate Queen Wilhelmina's birthday in 1906. Since 1921 Pasar Gambir was held annually, turning into the annual modern Jakarta Fair . The square's name remained

273-492: A walking distance to the square, providing KRL Commuterline access via its Bogor (Red) Line . The free Jakarta city tour double decker bus also pass through Jalan Medan Merdeka Barat and Jalan Merdeka Selatan lining western and southern edge of the square. With three city tour bus stops in Medan Merdeka Barat Avenue; in front of National Museum, on western and southwestern corner of the square, while

312-489: Is a flora-and-fauna exhibition, held annually in August at Lapangan Banteng Park, featuring flowers, plant nurseries, and pets. The Jakarta Fair is held annually from mid-June to mid-July to celebrate the anniversary of the city and is largely centred on a trade fair. However, this month-long fair also features entertainment, including arts and music performances by local musicians. The statue of Irian Barat Liberation monument

351-555: Is easily accessible using public transportations. The TransJakarta rapid bus transit service has four shelters located by the square; they are K1.14 Monas shelter (corridor 1) in front of National Museum , K2.16 Gambir 1, K2.22 Balai Kota and K2.23 Gambir 2 (corridor 2). The Gambir Station located in the east side also provide access, although the station currently only serves intercity trains, with Argo -class executive trains connecting Jakarta to Surabaya , Cirebon , Bandung and Solo. The Juanda and Gondangdia stations are within

390-484: Is often referred to Groote Huis (Big House). It is now Indonesia's Ministry of Finance office on the east side of Lapangan Banteng ( Waterlooplein ). He also renamed Buffelsveld (buffalo field) to Champs de Mars (today Merdeka Square ). Daendels' rule oversaw the complete adoption of Continental Law into the colonial Dutch East Indies law system, retained even until today in Indonesian legal system. Eventually

429-906: Is surrounded by important government buildings such as the Merdeka Palace , the National Museum , the National Library , Jakarta City Hall , Istiqlal Mosque , the Supreme Court and various governmental ministries. During the colonial Dutch East Indies era the square was called Koningsplein (King's square). In the late 18th century when the Dutch East Indies government moved their center of administration about 4 kilometres southward, from coastal old Batavia (now Kota ) to Weltevreden (now Central Jakarta ), they built several important buildings including

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468-704: The Buffelsveld ("buffalo field") was renamed Champ de Mars after the field in Paris due to French influence and used as a military exercise field. In 1818, a few years after the formation of the United Kingdom of the Netherlands , the square's name was changed into Koningsplein ("King's square"). Around the same time the governor-general's residence was moved to a new palace, now known as Istana Merdeka . The colonial government built athletic tracks,

507-488: The Indonesian National Revolution (1945–1949), the returning Dutch colonial forces managed to gain control over Jakarta (Batavia) and its vicinity, and renamed most of places to their colonial names; including Ikada field changed back to Koningsplein . In 1949 Sukarno changed the name of Koningsplein to Medan Merdeka ("Independence Square"). By this time, the square was already crowded by

546-607: The National Monument, often called Monas ( Monumen Nasional ). 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. The square is a popular destination for Jakartans for sports and recreation especially on weekends. It

585-492: The Jakarta anniversary around 22 June and Indonesian independence commemoration around 17 August. Flag raising ceremonies are held at the north end during city-wide public anniversaries. Since 2016, all Independence Day national celebrations begin with the departure and arrival of replicas of both the national flag and the text of the Proclamation of Independence, in the monument and the square, en route to Merdeka Palace in

624-611: The Lion column of Waterloo memorial (both are demolished). There were two main squares in Weltevreden : Buffelsveld and Paradeplaats . The squares took shape during the governorship of Daendels in early 19th century. The squares were military in character: the Paradeplaats ("Parade Ground") was the main parade and the ceremonial square. The Buffelsveld ("Buffalo Field") was renamed Champ de Mars due to French influence and

663-486: The National Monument in the center, the square itself is Jakartans' popular destination for family recreation and outdoor sports activities during weekend, such as family picnics, flying kites , calisthenics , football games, jogging and bicycling. The paved plaza surrounds the monument often host national events as well as civic demonstrations . Military and float parades usually took place during

702-491: The Waterlooplein is also popularly known as Lion's field, after the Lion column of Waterloo memorial which once stood in the center of the field. Since the lion symbolized Dutch colonialism, Sukarno renamed the field as Lapangan Banteng after the bull or buffalo, native to the country's ricefields, which symbolizes the newly independent Republic, the people and the Indonesian National Revolution (1945-49). Thus actually

741-491: The center of Jakarta , Indonesia . Merdeka is the Indonesian word for freedom or independence . 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 . At 75 hectares, it is over five times the size of Tiananmen Square , and 12 times the size of Place de la Concorde . At its center stands

780-459: The eastern side, Jakarta Central Post Office on the northern side, Jakarta Cathedral on northwest corner, Istiqlal Mosque also on northwest corner, Indonesian Ministry of Religious Affairs on southwest corner, and Hotel Borobudur occupy the whole southern side. During colonial period of the Dutch East Indies , the square serves as the military parade fields. It was the site of a statue to Jan Pieterszoon Coen who won control of Batavia, also

819-402: The existence of Gambir railway station , Police Department Head Office, Telephone Company Office, Ikada Stadium , a sport-hall, many parks, many football fields and tennis lawns. In 1954, President Sukarno launched the idea of erecting a "National Monument" at the center of Merdeka Square. Sukarno desired that the Indonesian people and the young independent nation had something to be proud of,

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858-577: The fields were demolished. Sukarno also envisioned a National Mosque and a new grand National Hotel to be constructed around the square, which today corresponds to the Istiqlal Mosque and the Borobudur Hotel. Between 1970s to 1980s the square was transformed as a city's bus terminal which served Central Jakarta area. The square was transformed back as an open space that contains sport facilities, park and garden in late 1980s. Flona Jakarta

897-459: The late 1990s to the 2000s, and gave the Merdeka square its present look. The aim was to return the function of Merdeka Square as an open space and green area. All buildings were removed and the square was transformed back to greenery. Since the early 1990s the fairground and the amusement park in the southern park were demolished had been given the old park function once again. The road surrounding

936-439: The mid-1990s for the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of Indonesian Independence in 1995, and continued well to the 2000s. The renovation moved the roundabout street further from the monument as it was feared that the vibrations from the passing vehicles would shake and disturb the monument's foundation. However, it was later decided that vehicles should be prohibited to enter the square altogether. The further roundabout created

975-421: The monument is not accessible to motorized traffic. In 2002, after Megawati was elected president, the governor of Jakarta Sutiyoso built a high fence with gates and guards to enclose the entire square. While visitors can access the square without charge, beggars, vendors, homeless and other social groups were excluded. An army encampment has been set up within the compound to enforce the new rules. Other than

1014-404: The monument was eventually resulted from the work of architect Soedarsono. Sukarno's layout for Merdeka Square was based on a plan initially developed in 1892 with diagonal streets radiating from the monument. The construction of National Monument ( Indonesian : Monumen Nasional or Monas ) was initiated in 1961, but it was only completed in 1976. Except the railway station, other buildings in

1053-524: The monument, the lion is also locally known as the Leeuwinplaats ("Lioness Square"). The simple-shaped monument with its relatively small-sized statue of lion was frequently ridiculed by the locals of Batavia, some people claiming that the lion looked more like a poodle. As part of the affluent neighborhood of Weltevreden, the Waterlooplein is a fashionable place in Batavia's Upper Town. Once a week,

1092-446: The morning, and returning to the square in the evening. The shape of Merdeka Square has been altered several times within its two-century history. The current design is mainly based on the site plan from the 1960s — as a part of the design of the National Monument that incorporated diagonal crossed streets that separated four cardinal parks. Recent development on the square is based on a master plan produced in 1993. Renovation began in

1131-656: The palace became too cramped and a new palace was planned in 1869. The new palace was completed in 1873 facing Koningsplein (King's Square). It was known as Koningsplein Palace , part of the Rijswijk, Indonesia compound. After the Revolution and the Independence of Indonesia 1945-1949, the Waterlooplein square was renamed by Sukarno as "Lapangan Banteng" which translates as "Buffalo's field" in Indonesian. Previously

1170-593: The residence of the governor-general. Daendels Palace was later completed in 1828 to become the department of finance building. Hotel van den Gouverneur-Generaal (Hotel of the Governor-General) became the official name of the van Braam mansion. Daendels — known as an avid Francophile — built a new governor general palace in smaller version Chateau de Versailles or more precisely the French Empire style in Batavia, known as Witte Huis (White House)

1209-837: The same throughout colonial Dutch East Indies era until the Japanese invasion in 1942. In 1942, during the Japanese occupation of the Dutch East Indies , the square was named Lapangan Ikada (acronym of Ikatan Atletik Djakarta or Jakarta Athletic Bond). The proclamation of Indonesian independence was originally intended to be staged at Lapangan Ikada. It was however moved to a house in Jalan Pegangsaan (now Jalan Proklamasi). On 19 September 1945, Sukarno held his Indonesian independence and anti-colonialism/imperialism speech, during Rapat Akbar or grand meeting. During

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1248-418: The southwest corner of the south park was used as Taman Ria Jakarta or Jakarta amusement park , including many exhibition halls, restaurants and night-clubs. The design of the parks stayed relatively unchanged from the 1970s to mid 1990s, and this situation led to the preparation of a master plan for redeveloping the square, established in 1993. The 1993 master plan guided the ongoing renovation conducted in

1287-434: The square into four parts: North, East, South, and West parks. Soon after construction works of the National Monument were completed, new buildings were grown at the southern part of the square. The north, east and west park remained a park, while the southern segment was developed into a building complex. In the 1970s to early 1990s, this southern section was occupied by the fairground for Jakarta Fair from 1968 to 1992, while

1326-476: The square — such as the Ikada Stadium and sports facilities — were demolished to make way for the construction of the monument, and replaced by four segments of garden. Today, the square is more popular with its nickname Lapangan Monas . The Merdeka Square is crossed by four diagonal streets which form an "X" with the National Monument at its center. The street is called Jalan Silang Monas and separates

1365-429: The square. Formerly, it was a large open field for herding kerbau ( water buffalo ), and therefore called Buffelsveld . There were two main squares in Weltevreden : Buffelsveld and Paradeplaats (Parade ground, later renamed Waterlooplein , now Lapangan Banteng ). The squares began to take shape during Daendels' rule in the early 19th century; Waterlooplein became the main parade and ceremonial square, while

1404-518: The square. A causeway spanned west-east in the center divide the square into two parts; the northern parts which hosts sport facilities which includes football field and athletic tracks, and the southern half which host a park with half-circle shaped pond with illuminated fountain and open air theatre. The square is surrounded by important buildings; former Daendels ' palace, the Witte Huis (White House), today Indonesian Ministry of Finance occupy

1443-443: Was a return to a native translation of the old name of the square, Buffelsveld , in the Indonesian language . By 1960s the square was also part of Sukarno's national building project. The West Irian Liberation Monument , located in the center of the square, was completed in 1963. Colonial monuments and memorials were demolished to make way for the new Republic's projects. Lion column, Coen's statues, and several memorials surrounding

1482-484: Was mainly used as a military exercise field. In 1828, the Waterloo Monument was erected to commemorate the defeat of Napoleon at the battle of Waterloo . The monument was a tall white column topped with a statue of a lion. The square was subsequently renamed to Waterlooplein , a name that would only be changed following the proclamation of the Indonesian independence in 1945. Because of the lion statue on

1521-414: Was then featured in a 2015 Hollywood film Blackhat (film) . Between 2017 and 2018 the square underwent a major renovation, which adds a half circular pond equipped with illuminated fountains, and an open-air theater. Merdeka Square, Jakarta Merdeka Square ( Indonesian : Medan Merdeka or Lapangan Merdeka , formerly Dutch : Koningsplein , lit. "King's Square") is a large square located in

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