Malioboro is the most famous street in Yogyakarta. Located in the
heart of Yogya, this is the city’s main street, and was once the
ceremonial avenue for the Sultan to pass through on his way to and from
the Keraton. During such occasions Malioboro would be festively
decorated with flowers. Some say that the name Malioboro” derives from
the name of the British governor Marlborough from the era when Britain
ruled the archipelago, between 1811-1816.
Near the north gate of the Keraton or
palace are grand Dutch colonial buildings that are now the Central Post
Office and the Bank Dagang Negara. Walking further north is the well
laid out State Guest House, which was once the home of the Dutch
Resident, but which after Independence became the presidential palace
when Yogya was the capital of the young Republic. President Soekarno
stayed here between 1946-1949.
