Merdeka Square, Jakarta
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| Merdeka Square | |
|---|---|
| Public square | |
| Indonesian: Medan Merdeka, Lapangan Merdeka | |
| Former name(s): Lapangan Ikada, Koningsplein | |
 A view of Merdeka Square from Gambir Station. with National Monument standing in the middle of the Square. |
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| Features: | National Monument, fountain, statues |
| Construction: | 1961–1976 |
| Opening date: | 1976 |
| Amenities: | parking |
| Area: | 1 square kilometre (100 ha) |
| Surface: | grass |
| Location: | Jakarta, Indonesia |
 Merdeka Square
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| Coordinates: Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. | |
Merdeka Square (Indonesian: Medan Merdeka or Lapangan Merdeka) is a large square located in the center of Jakarta, Indonesia.[1] Measuring one square kilometer in area, if the surrounding fields within the Merdeka Square are included, it is considered the largest square in the world or one of the largest.[2] At 75 hectares, it is over five times the size of Tiananmen Square, and 12 times the size of Place de la Concorde.[3]
At its center stands the National Monument, often called Monas (Monumen Nasional).[4] 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 eastern side, and a deer enclosure where deer roam among the shady trees in the southeast corner.[5] The square is a popular destination for Jakartans for sports and recreation especially on weekends.[6]
It is surrounded by important government buildings such as the Merdeka Palace,[7] the National Museum of Indonesia, the Supreme Court and various governmental ministries.[5] During the colonial Dutch East Indies era the square was called Koningsplein (King's square).[8] Merdeka is the Indonesian word for freedom or independence.
Contents
History
Koningsplein
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 the square.[9] Formerly, it was a large open field for herding kerbau (water buffalo), and therefore called Buffelsveld.[10] 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 the Buffelsveld ("buffalo field") was renamed Champ de Mars 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, 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 the same throughout colonial Dutch East Indies era until the Japanese invasion in 1942.
Lapangan Ikada
In 1942, during the Japanese occupation of Indonesia, 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 the 19th of September 1945, Sukarno held his Indonesian independence and anti-colonialism/imperialism speech, during Rapat Akbar or grand meeting.[9] During Indonesian National Revolution (1945-1949), the returning Dutch colonial forces manage 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.
Medan Merdeka
In 1949 Sukarno changed the name of Koningsplein to Medan Merdeka ("Independence Square"). By this time, the square was already crowded by 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.[10]
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, a monument to commemorate the struggle for independence.[11] His ambition was to make the Monas the tallest building in Jakarta, higher than Borobudur and larger than the Eiffel Tower.[12] 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 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.[12]
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 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.[10]
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 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 70's to early 90's, this southern section was occupied by the fairground for Jakarta Fair from 1968 to 1992, while 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.[10]
The design of the parks stayed relatively unchanged from the 70's to mid 90's, 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 late 90s 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.[10] Since the early 90's the fairground and the amusement park in the southern park were demolished had been given the old park function once again. The road surrounding 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.[12] Other than attracted to the National Monument stands in the center, the square itself is Jakartans' popular destination for family recreation and outdoor sports activities during weekend, such as family picnic, flying kites, calisthenics, football games, jogging and bicycling.[6] The paved plaza surrounds the monument often host national events as well as civic demonstrations. Military and float parades usually took place during Jakarta anniversary around 22 June and Indonesian independence commemoration around 17 August.
Design
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.[10]
A renovation began in mid 90's 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 shakes and disturbs the monument foundation. However, later decided that the vehicles should be prohibited to enter the square altogether. The further roundabout create 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:
- Taman Medan Merdeka (Medan Merdeka Park). The large trees, reflecting ponds and fountains are located in this zone. The zone span from the fences on the outer rim of the park to the pedestrian path around the park.
- Ruang Agung (The Grand Space). It is the grand space to enhance the view of National Monument. There are no large trees or any visual obstructions allowed to remain in this zone. It is located from the pedestrian path to the National Monument in the center. It consists of grass fields, stone paved grand plaza, and a central garden around the monument filled with colorful flowers and decorative plants.
There are four parks in Merdeka Square according to the cardinal points:
- Taman Medan Merdeka Utara (North Merdeka Park). The entrance to the tunnel that leads to the National Monument is located on this north park. The equestrian statue of Diponegoro and a bust statue of Indonesian poet Chairil Anwar also located in this area.
- Taman Medan Merdeka Timur (East Merdeka Park). Immediately located near the Gambir Station. The reflecting pond and the statue of Kartini, Indonesian heroine of women emancipation, donated by Japanese government that originally stood in front of Taman Suropati in Menteng is relocated here.
- Taman Medan Merdeka Selatan (South Merdeka Park). A nationalistic monument is located here. The spotted deer park is located on southeast corner. The south park also displays unique plants as the symbol of the 33 Indonesian provinces. The IRTI parking ground, souvenir and foodstalls for National Monument visitors is located in this southern park.[10]
- Taman Medan Merdeka Barat (West Merdeka Park). The dancing illuminated fountain is located here. The fountain show with music is performed every weekend nights.
In vicinity
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.[5][7]
North
- State Secretariat and Bina Graha
- Merdeka Palace[5]
- Supreme Court of Justice
- Ministry of Internal Affairs
- Army Headquarters
- Istiqlal Mosque, Jakarta (Northeast corner)[13]
East
- Gambir Station
- Pertamina Headquarters
- Army Strategic Reserve Command (KOSTRAD) Headquarters
- Immanuel Church
- National Gallery of Indonesia
South
- Embassy of United States[5][14]
- Vice President's Palace
- Jakarta City Hall, and Governor's office[5]
- Ministry of Government-Owned Businesses
West
- Indosat Headquarters
- Ministry of Culture and Tourism[5]
- Ministry of Defense and Indonesian National Armed Forces Headquarters
- National Museum of Indonesia[8][15]
- Ministry of Communication and Information
- Ministry of Transportation
- Constitutional Court[5]
- RRI (Radio of the Republic of Indonesia) Headquarters
Gallery
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Merdeka Square Diponegoro 3.JPG
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Kartini statue
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Merdeka Square Reflecting Pool.JPG
The Monas reflecting pool
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Merdeka Square Flag Statue 1.JPG
Visitors enjoying the park
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Merdeka Square Flag Statue 2.JPG
Flag bearer statue
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Merdeka Square Garuda Vase 2.JPG
Garuda garden vase
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Merdeka Square Soccer.JPG
Football play at Merdeka Square
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Merdeka Square Flower.JPG
Flower garden
See also
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Merdeka Square, Jakarta. |
References
- ↑ Kuoni - Far East, A world of difference. Page 93. Published 1999 by Kuoni Travel & JPM Publications
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Dovey (2010), p. 164
- ↑ Jakarta guide
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6 5.7 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 A detailed travel guide to Jakarta
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Merdeka Square in Jakarta
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Lapangan Merdeka / Monas. Merdeka Square page on official website of Jakarta. (Indonesian)
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 10.4 10.5 10.6 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ indahnesia.com - Jakarta - Historic trip - Historic trip through the old city - Discover Indonesia Online
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Istiqlal Mosque, Jakarta
- ↑ Sense of Place: Jakarta - TIME
- ↑ Interest - Cultures - Jakarta
Bibliography
- Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
