Istana Merdeka or Independence Palace is located on Jl. Medan Merdeka Utara, Jakarta Pusat/Central Jakarta was built in 1873 and was then known as the Palace of Gambir. Independence Palace today became the official residence of the President of the Republic of Indonesia. The palace was designed by Drossares and become the witnessed  of the history of the formal signing that regocnize  of the sovereignty of the United State of Indonesia by the Government of the Netherlands on December 27, 1949. At that time, Indonesia was represented by Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono IX, while the Dutch represented by A.H.J Lovinnk, high representative of the Dutch crown in Indonesia.

After the signing ceremony the Dutch flag before the Gambir Palace was lowered and the flag of Indonesia was raised. Hundreds of thousands of people filled the area before the Gambir Palace froze and shed a tear when the flag is raised. However, when the Red and White rose up and, their joy and burst into a shout: Freedom! Freedom! Since then, the Gambir Palace named as Istana Merdeka or Independence Palace.

The day after the recognition of the sovereignty from the Kingdom of the Netherlands, on December 28, 1949 President Sukarno and his family arrived from Yogyakarta and then inhabit the Palace. Indonesia Independence Day commemoration at the Independence Palace was first held in 1950.

As the center of government of Indonesia, the Independence Palace is now used for the implementation of state occasions, such as Independence Proclamation commemoration, the welcoming ceremony of the State Guest, to accept credential of ambassadors of friendly countries, and the inauguration of junior military and police officers.

How to get here (see the route map):

From Gondangdia /Cikini go to platform 1 and  take Red Line or Blue Line heading to Jakarta Kota and stop at Juanda. Take a 15 minutes walk to the Southeast

From Tanah Abang go to platform 3 and take the Yellow Line heading to Depok/Nambo/Bogor and stop at Manggarai. Go to platform 3/5 and  take Red Line or Blue Line heading to Jakarta Kota and stop at Juanda. Take a 15 minutes walk to the Southeast

From Sudirman go to platform 2 and take the Yellow Line heading to Depok/Nambo/Bogor and stop at Manggarai. Go to platform 3/5 and  take Red Line or Blue Line heading to Jakarta Kota and stop at Juanda. Take a 15 minutes walk to the Southeast

see the link map or the map below