Perhaps, the most striking feature here is the towering obelisk. We’re standing in North Monas, part of the expansive area surrounding the National Monument of Indonesia. This monument is more than just a landmark. It’s a powerful symbol of the nation’s struggle for independence.
The National Monument is called Monumen Nasional, or simply Monas. It stands tall at 132 meters in the center of Merdeka Square. Monas commemorates Indonesia’s fight for freedom. The monument is topped with a flame covered in gold leaf. This symbolizes the burning spirit of the Indonesian people.
President Sukarno directed its construction. Work began in 1961. Monas finally opened to the public in 1975. You can visit the monument and its museum daily. They are open from 8 AM to 4 PM. However, note that Monas is closed on Mondays. Since April 2016, it’s also open at night. Visit between 7 PM and 10 PM from Tuesdays to Fridays. On Saturdays and Sundays, it stays open until midnight.
After Indonesia gained independence, President Sukarno wanted a national monument. He envisioned something like the Eiffel Tower. In 1954, a committee was formed. A design competition was held in 1955. However, none of the entries fully met the criteria. A repeat competition in 1960 also failed to produce a winning design.
Sukarno then asked architect Friedrich Silaban to design a monument. Sukarno wanted it in the form of a linga and yoni. These are symbols representing harmony and balance. Silaban’s design was too large and expensive. Architect R.M. Soedarsono continued the design. He incorporated the numbers 17, 8, and 45. These represent the date of Indonesia’s independence proclamation.
The construction of Monas happened in three stages. It began on August 17, 1961. Sukarno drove in the first concrete pile. A total of 284 piles were used for the foundation. The walls of the museum were completed by October 1962. The obelisk was finished in August 1963. The final phase involved adding dioramas to the historical museum. Monas officially opened to the public on July 12, 1975.
Monas is designed with deep symbolism. The lingga and yoni concept represents balance and fertility. The lingga resembles a rice pestle. The yoni resembles a rice mortar. These are traditional Indonesian tools. They symbolize harmony and eternal life.
The monument consists of a 117.7-meter obelisk. It stands on a 45-meter square platform. The obelisk is clad with Italian marble. The northern pond cools water for the air conditioning system. It also enhances the beauty of the area. Nearby, you can see a statue of Prince Diponegoro. He was an Indonesian national hero.
Around Monas, reliefs depict Indonesian history. The story begins in the northeastern corner. It shows events from the Singhasari and Majapahit empires. The reliefs continue. They show European colonization, uprisings, and the Japanese occupation. They also depict the Proclamation of Independence.
Inside Monas, the National History Museum displays dioramas. There are 51 dioramas in the marble-lined hall. These scenes cover Indonesian history. They range from prehistoric times to the New Order era.
The Hall of Independence is inside the goblet part of Monas. It contains symbols of independence. The original text of the Proclamation is stored in a glass case. Bronze doors open slowly. The nationalist song Padamu Negeri plays. A recording of Sukarno reading the Proclamation follows. A gold-coated statue of Indonesia’s coat of arms is displayed.
A lift takes visitors to the viewing platform. It is 115 meters above ground. The top platform can hold about 50 people. The total height of Monas is 132 meters.
Monas is topped by a bronze Flame of Independence. It weighs 14.5 tons. The flame was originally covered with 35 kg of gold leaf. This was increased to 50 kg in 1995.
To visit Monas, enter from the northern side. A tunnel leads to the base. There, you can buy tickets. These tickets allow access to the museum and other areas. Another ticket is needed for the observation deck. Monas is more than just a monument. It is a journey through Indonesian history and a symbol of national pride.