Everyone is familiar with Malioboro, right? It’s one of the top tourist spots in Java and has become an iconic part of Yogyakarta. Malioboro is strategically located between the Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat Palace and the Pal Putih Monument.
For both local and foreign tourists, Malioboro is known as the ultimate shopping destination in Yogyakarta. The hustle and bustle of trading can be felt in this area. But Malioboro’s historical background is equally impressive.
Malioboro Street was established when the Yogyakarta Palace was built. In Sanskrit, “malioboro” means flower garland. This might be related to the past when the Palace hosted grand events and Malioboro Street would be adorned with flowers. The name Malioboro also comes from a British colonial named Marlborough who lived there from 1811 to 1816 AD.
The existence of Jalan Malioboro is closely tied to the layout of Yogyakarta, which is designed in a north-south direction with roads leading to the cardinal points and intersecting perpendicularly. This layout is reinforced by an “imaginary axis” that stretches from north to south, with the palace as the central point.
This “axis” is represented by various buildings, such as the Tugu (Pal Putih) in the north, Margatama (Mangkubumi) and Margamulya (Malioboro) roads in the south, Yogyakarta Palace, Jl. IN. Panjaitan, and finally the Krapyak stage. If you continue north from the starting point (Tugu), you’ll reach Mount Merapi, while if you continue from the final point (Panggung Krapyak), you’ll reach the Indian Ocean.
During the colonial era (1790-1945), the Dutch disrupted the urban pattern by constructing the Vredeburg fort (1790) at the southern end of Malioboro Street. In addition to the fort, they also built Societeit Der Vereneging Djogdjakarta (1822), The Dutch Governor’s Residence (1830), Javasche Bank, and a post office to maintain their dominance in Yogyakarta. The Dutch community in Yogyakarta flourished during the reign of Sultan Hamengkubuwana VII (1877 – 1921).
The growth and development of sugar cane plantations, various factories, banking, insurance, hotels, and education were closely linked to this period. Rapid development was also fueled by trade between the Dutch and the Chinese, as well as the distribution of land in the Jalan Malioboro sub-segment to the Chinese community, known as the Cina District (Chinatown Area).
Dutch dominance in building facilities to boost their economy and power was evident, such as the construction of Tugu Station by Staat Spoorweg (1887) on Jalan Malioboro. This station physically divided the road into two parts. Malioboro road played a significant role in the post-1945 independence era, as Indonesians fought for their freedom along the road.
Best Time to Visit
Shops and street vendors in Malioboro operate from 09.00 to 22.00 daily. During holidays, Malioboro gets crowded with visitors, both on the main roads due to traffic and in pedestrian areas filled with visitors and parked vehicles.
How to get to the location
From Tugu Station: Walk about 200 meters south to find Jalan Malioboro, a 1 km long road lined with shops.
From Tugu Monument Yogyakarta: Head south (one-way road) via Jl. Margo Utomo (Jl. Mangkubumi). Continue until you pass the Kewek Bridge traffic light and Inna Garuda Hotel. After passing, you will reach the famous Malioboro Street.