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National Monument (Monas), Jakarta
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National Monument (Monas), Jakarta

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National Monument (Monas): MONAS
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  • The National Monument or "Monas" is one of the monuments built during the Sukarno era of fierce nationalism. It stands for the people's determination to achieve freedom and the crowning of their efforts in the Proclamation of Independence in August 1945. The 137-metre tall marble obelisk is topped with a flame coated with 35 kg of gold. The base houses a historical museum and a hall for meditations. The monument is open to the public and upon request the lift can carry visitors to the top, which offers a bird's eye view on the city and the sea.

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    National Monument (Monas): Unity with diversity; visit the museum
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  • Indonesia is a young republic, and the fathers of independence wanted to group the symbols of the newborn country in the same place, and to display it in a spectacular way, impressing (in the literal sense) the visitors, in the “Independence room”.
    The blazon on the eagle (Garuda, the king of birds), on the first picture, tells a lot about Indonesia, and all the figure is full of symbols. A watchman in the museum explained me proudly some of the symbols: Garuda is made of gold, noble metal, there are 17 feathers on each wing, 8 feathers on the tail, 45 feathers on the neck, all this makes 17/8/1945, date of independence; On the banner, the Javanese phrase says something which can translate as “unity with diversity”, and on the blazon, the “Pancasila” --5 principles of Indonesian state-- are represented.
    Star: one unique God.
    Chain: succession of human generations, humanity
    Banyan tree: unity of Indonesia
    Buffalo head: wisdom and democracy
    Ear of rice: justice, for all Indonesian.
    You also notice the red and white backgrounds, colours of the Indonesian flag.

    In the independence room are a number of displays about the birth of Indonesia, like the proclamation of Independence by Sukarno and Hatta (picture 2), the map of Indonesia (pure gold!) (picture 3), spectacular display on black marble. While you walk around military music is broadcasted, but not too loudly. . . .
    The independence room is located in the middle of the basement of the Monas tower, with a square of benches around; the room is closed, and surrounding it, a big hall (picture 4), also a square, displays the history of Indonesia in small show windows.
    Many of the displays there are naïve, and their purpose is educative; on picture 5, is the representation of the declaration of independence by Sukarno.

    Park open 8 am- 6 pm.
    Monument open Tuesday-Sunday, 9 am-3pm
    Lift to the top and museum: 2000 Rp

  • Address: Jalan Silang Monas No. 1 Jakarta Pusat
  • Phone: 021 – 6902387
  • Directions: Central Jakarta
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    National Monument (Monas): In the garden, the statues
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  • In the gardens of Monas square, do like Indonesian, walk around, look at the people, and look at the statues; the statues in the park are of different types, in style and in significance. . . . there are heroes or anonymous people, fighters or poets. . . . it is just nice to look , and for a westerner, even that sort of park is full of surprises and exotic. . .
    Chairil Anwar (picture 1) is a poet less known (at least to me!) than Pramoedia Anantha Toer (a few translations of whom I red, in the past), but was more “politically correct than the second one and he has his statue in the Monas Garden; Diponegoro (picture 2) is a Javanese prince who fought against Dutch rule in the 19th century, and was made prisoner by treacherous Dutch, under flag of truce; he is a National hero in Indonesia. In a very different style, the guys with the flag, on picture 3, celebrate some victory. . . . . Women are not forgotten in the heroes gallery (picture 4), but the kids playing in the basin (picture 5) between Chairil Anwar’s and Diponegoro’s statues do not really care. . . . they play in the water.

    Park open 8 am- 6 pm.
    Monument open Tuesday-Sunday, 9 am-3pm

  • Address: Jalan Silang Monas No. 1 Jakarta Pusat
  • Phone: 021 – 6902387
  • Directions: Central Jakarta
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    National Monument (Monas): Jakarta's Landmark (Jakarta Zero Point)
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  • Standing at 137 Meters and topped with 35 kilograms of gold coating. On the top observatorium platform we can see bir of eye Jakarta cityscape, The Museum Hall describe Indonesia's struggle for independence through a series of dioramas.

    Another activity is surrounding Medeka Square by Delman (Traditionan Chariot).

    Open daily from 08.00 - 17:00

    See my travelogue National Monument "Spirit of Nation"

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  • Address: Lapangan Merdeka, Monas, Gambir
  • Phone: +62 21 384 0451
  • Directions: From Gambir train station just walk out to the east .
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    National Monument (Monas): Low reliefs and statues outside
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  • Around the base of the tower, along the walls, you can see long frescoes and statues in Javanese style, where the influence of Hindu art is very obvious. I did not find a guide, (not even a “kamus rambut” for those who know Indonesian!:))) to explain about these quite pompous sculptures; well, I do not know about the stories and History, but I liked to look at the details, see expressions on the faces, see the kings, the warriors, the slaves, the palaces and boats. . . . . Indonesia has certainly a very rich history and lots of legends, and here is probably not only Ramayana and Mahabharata. . . . .

    Park open 8 am- 6 pm.
    Monument open Tuesday-Sunday, 9 am-3pm

  • Address: Jalan Silang Monas No. 1 Jakarta Pusat
  • Phone: 021 – 6902387
  • Directions: Central Jakarta
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    National Monument (Monas): Meet schoolchildren and students
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  • I like a lot walking in gardens, looking at the flowers, trees, trying to identify, or at least have a close look at the plants; or just because it is relaxing and beautiful, nothing more. . . . . and look at the people, how they enjoy their park, their historical landmarks. . . . Look at all these kids (picture 1), is it not nice to see the young generation? They all apparently enjoy their excursion, and the kite seller was happy that day; by the way, Indonesian are very good at playing with kites. . . (picture 2); on picture 3, the young girls are not nuns but muslim schoolchildren; their uniform does not bother them a lot, apparently.
    Young students very often approach foreigners, by curiosity, but also because they want to try their English, make some exercises, see if they make progress, and it is rather fun to spend some time with these enthusiastic people.

  • Directions: On Monas square. Central Jakarta.
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    National Monument (Monas): Monas
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  • This is the national monument and symbol Jakarta so make sure you go check it out when in Jakarta. It a gaint tower with a burning flame on the top. This how President Soekarno honoured the Indonesian people.

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  • Address: Jl. Silang Monas
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    National Monument (Monas): National Monument
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  • National Monument  & Statue - Jakarta
    National Monument &
    Statue
    by Rodan44
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    The National Monument in Merdeka Square is a 137 meter tall white marble obelisk topped with a gold flame. It is a symbol of Indonesian nationalism. For a small admission price, visitors can take an elevator to the top observation deck, which has an incredible panoramic view of the city. In the basement is a historical museum that has dioramas to depict significant scenes in Indonesia's history.

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  • Address: Jalan Medan Merdeka
  • Directions: Central Jakarta Civic District
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    National Monument (Monas): MONUMEN NASIONAL - MONAS
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  • national-monument-jakarta - Jakarta
    national-monument-jakarta
    by RoyJava
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    This imposing obelisk is Jakarta's most famous landmark, named Monumen Nasional (National Monument). Although its construction began under regime of President Soekarno it was completed during regime of President Soeharto in 1975.

    There are a couple of museums to explore. Visit the observation platform right below the top of the obelisk which is the famous flame of 35 kilograms of gold. See the dramatic cityscape of Jakarta, mostly rarely clear.

    A few do know about the phallus-form of the obelisk and its flame of gold which is connected with the Samudra Beach Hotel, Pelabuhan Ratu, in the far South ... where the President Soekarno entered into an alliance with Ratu Kidul, Spirit-queen of the Southern Ocean ...
    Pelabuhan Ratu

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  • Address: Jalan Silang Monas, Jakarta - Indonesia
  • Directions: Merdeka Square
  • Website: %bhttp://www.asiatour.com/indonesia/e-03jaka/ei-jak16a.htm
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    National Monument (Monas): Monas [National Monument]
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  • Monas at night by ukirsari - Jakarta
    Monas at night by ukirsari
    by ukirsari
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    Monas, acronym from Monumen Nasional (National Monument). * see my travelogues about Koningsplein.
    As a symbol of the Nations, which building at 1960’s. The design was simple, an obelisk from Italian marble, about 137 metres height with pure glittering ingot (gold) on the top. This design is reflecting the eternally flame -–symbol of our passion and optimism in facing the freedom as a Nation. At the bottom of the monument, we can find National Heritage Museum which contents our Sang Saka Merah Putih --first National flag, handmade by Mrs. Fatmawati --wife of President Soekarno at Independence Day, August 17th, 1945. And the recorded of President Soekarno's speechs, about 15 minutes. One of his famous words was “Jas Merah” acronym from “Jangan pernah Meninggalkan Sejarah” (means; to be a great Nations, please don’t ever leave our history. We can not reach this day, without passed the days before).

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  • Address: Jalan Medan Merdeka
  • Directions: Silang Monas (Koningsplein), Jalan Medan Merdeka, close to Gambir railway station at Jakarta central.
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