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 one of the largest squares in the world.[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, Jakarta Cathedral, 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.