Labuan Bajo history

Foundation and First Mentions

Labuan Bajo does not have an exact founding date recorded in official chronicles, as its history began not with an administrative decree, but with natural settlement. The name of the city literally translates as "Harbour of the Bajo People". This indicates that the first settlers here were members of the Bajo ethnic group (known as "Sea Nomads"), who used the calm bay to moor their boats and create temporary, and later permanent, dwellings on the water.

Key Factors of Formation

The transformation of a fishing stopover into an important settlement was driven by several reasons:

• Geography: The city is located at the westernmost tip of Flores Island. The natural harbour, protected by a scattering of small islands, created an ideal shelter for ships from storms and the strong currents of the Sape Strait.
• Trade: Labuan Bajo became a point of contact between maritime traders (particularly the Bugis from Sulawesi) and the inhabitants of the interior mountainous regions of Flores. Here, goods essential for survival on the isolated island were exchanged.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

The economy of early Labuan Bajo depended entirely on the sea. The main occupations of the inhabitants were fishing, pearl diving, and collecting sea cucumbers (trepang), which were highly valued in regional trade. Culturally, the settlement developed as a "melting pot", where the traditions of Muslim sea nomads intertwined with the customs of the indigenous Manggarai people inhabiting the western part of Flores.

Key Milestones in History

• Early 20th Century: Labuan Bajo develops as a small trading port and missionary centre under the administration of the Dutch colonial government.
• 1945: Following the proclamation of Indonesia's independence, the city becomes part of the new republic.
• 1980: Komodo National Park is founded, with the port of Labuan Bajo serving as the main gateway.
• 1991: UNESCO includes Komodo National Park in the World Heritage List, attracting the attention of the global community.
• 2003: Labuan Bajo officially becomes the administrative centre (capital) of the newly formed West Manggarai Regency.
• 2011: Komodo National Park is recognised as one of the "New 7 Wonders of Nature" following a global vote.
• 2013: The city hosts the international maritime event "Sail Komodo", gathering participants from various countries.
• 2015: A new modern passenger terminal at Komodo Airport is opened to serve the growing flow of tourists.
• 2016: The Indonesian government includes Labuan Bajo in the list of 10 priority tourism destinations ("The New Balis").
• 2021: The Wae Kelambu logistics port is commissioned, allowing the main city harbour to be freed exclusively for tourist vessels.
• 2022: Grand opening of the renovated "Marina Waterfront", which has become the new face of the city.
• May 2023: Labuan Bajo hosts the 42nd ASEAN Summit, becoming a centre for international diplomacy in the region.

Major Stages of the City's Transformation

The development of Labuan Bajo is the story of a quiet fishing harbour transforming into a world-class tourism hub. The key milestones that defined the modern look of the city are linked to infrastructure and status changes.

• Creation of the National Park and UNESCO Recognition

  The inclusion of the surrounding waters and islands in the World Heritage List became the foundation of the city's economy. This event reoriented Labuan Bajo from traditional fishing to the hospitality industry and diving tourism, attracting foreign capital.

• Obtaining Regency Capital Status (2003)

  Becoming the administrative centre of West Manggarai gave the city a powerful impulse towards urbanisation. The appearance of government institutions led to the development of social infrastructure, the construction of offices, and an influx of population from other regions of Indonesia.

• Inclusion in the "10 New Balis" Strategy (2016)

  Recognising the city as a priority national project opened access to large-scale federal investments. This allowed for the commencement of comprehensive reconstruction of the road network, water supply systems, and power grids necessary for the comfortable stay of tourists.

• Modernisation of Komodo Airport

  The expansion of the terminal and runway ensured the ability to receive direct flights from Jakarta and major hub airports. Transport accessibility became a catalyst for the growth of tourist flow and business activity.

• Reorganisation of the Port Zone (2021–2022)

  The strategic decision to move the cargo port to the Wae Kelambu area freed the historical centre from container ships. The main bay was transformed into a modern marina for tourist yachts and a promenade, changing the architectural appearance of the coastline.

• Hosting the ASEAN Summit (2023)

  Preparation for the international forum elevated service and the urban environment to a premium level. Luxury international hotel chains and convention centres opened in the city, cementing Labuan Bajo's status as a destination for elite and business tourism.

Architectural Appearance and Urban Planning

The architecture of Labuan Bajo differs from classic European cities: you will not find Gothic or Baroque styles here. The city's appearance was formed under the influence of maritime culture, complex terrain, and a rapid transformation from a fishing village to a world-class resort. Urban planning here is a symbiosis of traditions and ultra-modern solutions.

Architectural Styles and Eras

The development of the city can be roughly divided into three key stages, each of which has left its mark on the urban environment:

• Traditional Vernacular Architecture (Era of Sea Nomads)

  The historical foundation of the city. This style is dictated by the lifestyle of the Bajo and Bugis people. Buildings were constructed from timber and bamboo, often on stilts over the water or on steep hill slopes.

• Functionalism and "Ruko" (Late 20th Century)

  A period of utilitarian development. With the growth of trade, concrete structures known in Indonesia as "Ruko" (shophouse) appeared. These are simple two or three-storey buildings where the ground floor is dedicated to commerce and the upper floors to housing. The style lacks decoration, with an emphasis on practicality and protection from tropical downpours.

• Tropical Modernism and Eco-tech (Modernity)

  The era of massive transformation (since the 2010s). New buildings are designed with climate and aesthetics in mind: open spaces for ventilation, the use of natural stone, wood, and thatched roofs combined with glass and steel. The architecture strives to blend into the landscape without disturbing its harmony.

Iconic Landmarks and Urban Zones

Modern Labuan Bajo is an "amphitheatre city", descending from the hills to the sea. Several key projects have radically changed its panorama:

• Komodo Airport (Bandara Komodo)

  A striking example of modern architecture with elements of local identity. The shape of the terminal roof is stylised to resemble the silhouette of a Komodo dragon, while the interiors are reminiscent of traditional woven patterns.

• Marina Waterfront

  The main urban planning project of recent years. The port zone was completely rebuilt: instead of chaotic moorings, a spacious promenade esplanade appeared with an amphitheatre, green zones, and modern street furniture. This is the new centre of the city's public life.

• Puncak Waringin Complex

  A cultural centre and viewing platform built in a style interpreting the traditional houses of Flores island chiefs. The high conical roofs of the building have become one of the most recognisable silhouettes on the city's skyline.

• Meruorah Komodo Hotel

  A building with a unique facade resembling dragon scales or sea waves. This facility has become a symbol of Labuan Bajo's transformation into a centre for business tourism (MICE) and a venue for international summits.

Notable Figures Associated with Labuan Bajo

The history of Labuan Bajo is inextricably linked with the discovery of Komodo dragons and the region's rise as an administrative centre. Most of the iconic figures here are explorers who revealed the wonders of the local nature to the world, and administrators who turned a fishing village into a regency capital.

• J.K.H. van Steyn — Dutch Colonial Officer (Early 20th Century)

  A lieutenant in the colonial administration who played the role of a pioneer for science. It was he who, in 1910, upon hearing tales from locals about "land crocodiles", sent the first photograph and skin of the giant lizard to the Zoological Museum in Java. His actions became the catalyst for scientific interest in the region, which subsequently brought fame to Labuan Bajo.

• Peter A. Ouwens — Zoologist, Museum Director (1849–1922)

  The scientist who published the first formal description of Varanus komodoensis (the Komodo dragon) in 1912. Although he worked in Bogor, his work turned the waters of Labuan Bajo from a forgotten backwater into a centre of attraction for global naturalists and biologists.

• W. Douglas Burden — American Explorer and Naturalist (1898–1978)

  Led the famous 1926 expedition to the Komodo islands. His team used the harbour as a base, and the results of the expedition and the live specimens brought back not only popularised the region in the USA but also, according to legend, inspired the creators of the film "King Kong". Burden was also the first to propose the name "Komodo Dragon".

• Walter Auffenberg — Biologist and Herpetologist (1928–2004)

  An American scientist who lived in the region with his family for a whole year (1969–1970) to study the dragons. His fundamental research formed the basis for the creation of Komodo National Park and the development of conservation strategies, thanks to which tourism in Labuan Bajo exists today.

• Fidelis Pranda — Politician and Administrator (died 2024)

  The first Regent (Head of Regency) of West Manggarai. After the formation of the new regency in 2003, he led the process of establishing Labuan Bajo as an administrative capital. Under his leadership, the foundations of urban infrastructure were laid, and the active promotion of the city as a tourist destination began.