Jakarta, National Monument

The National Monument is one of the monuments in Jakarta erected to commemorate the Indonesian people fighting against the Dutch colonialist. The monument is located in central Jakarta, it is at the Lapangan monas (Monas square). The monument, with its unique style and is 137 m in height , was made of marbles with phallus form symbolizing the fertilizing. The flaming torch shape weighing 14.5 kg and is plated with 35 kg gold is placed on the top of the monument . The torch symbolizes the Indonesian people fighting for independence. The monument, erected at a 80-hectare land was officially opened for public on 12 July 1975, is known as Tugu Monas. The architect for this monument was Soedarsono and F. Silaban and the consultant was Ir. Rooseno. Before it is popular with Tugu Monas, the monument had five names, they were Lapangan Gambir, Lapangan Ikada, Lapangan Merdeka, Lapangan Monas and Taman Monas. Parks, two ponds and the open-air sport field surrounds the monument. This monument become the well-known tourist object for the holiday goers in Jakarta . Inside the monument is the museum and a hall for meditation and it is equipped with the elevator. At the top of the monument the Jakarta city is seen to be more crowded. The monument daily opens at 9:00 am - 04:00 pm.