Madiun

Madiun – Indonesia’s martial arts mecca

A city doesn't have to be large and metropolitan to hold significant historical importance and make substantial contributions to its country. The 33.32 square kilometer city of Madiun, nestled in the lowlands of East Java, stands as proof of this. Its current population of 202,544 resides atop a land steeped in history, stretching back to the early days of the republic, marked by the three-month-long Madiun Affair. Also, Madiun proudly claims the birthplace of Pencak Silat, Indonesia's traditional martial art, hosting 12 Pencak Silat dojos and numerous combat exhibition events. Moreover, the city is where two nationally popular dishes, pecel (a salad with peanut sauce) and brem (a sweet fermented snack), originated.

Such a rich tapestry of history and culture has endowed the city with numerous attractions for those eager to explore its heritage. Dubbed "The City of Trains" due to its intricate railway systems, Madiun houses a railway museum at the Arum Dalu PT Inka Museum. The Madiun Affair is commemorated through the Kresek Monument. Brumbun Village offers river tubing activities, while reservoirs like Kedungbrubus and Bening Widas provide opportunities for fishing, canoeing, speed boating, and scenic enjoyment. Agro Wilis Pine Forest invites camping enthusiasts, while Slampir and Ndenu waterfalls beckon nature lovers.

Economically, the city has experienced consistent growth in recent years, with a 5.80 percent growth rate in 2023, surpassing the 5.52 percent in 2022 and 4.79 percent in 2021, and a significant improvement over the -5.34 percent growth at the onset of the pandemic in 2020. With a Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) at current prices totaling Rp 17.26 trillion in 2023, the city's economic landscape is primarily dominated by wholesale and retail trade (at Rp 4,608.99 billion or 26.71 percent), the information and communications industry (at Rp 2,632.13 billion or 15.25 percent), and the manufacturing industry (at Rp 2,340.47 billion or 13.56 percent).