National Monument (Monas), Jakarta

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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. There is a Museum at the bottom of Monas showing how Indonesia got it`s indepence and also you have to go to the meseum in order to go up to the top of the tower. You also have to pay for that seperate. There is a nice view from the top and definitely worth the visit.

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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.

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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

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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

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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

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It was a one week stay of Indonesia and spent most of the time in Jakarta.

It was in the late afternoon when I visited this famous landmark which is popularly known as Monas. Although I did not have the chance to go inside the monument to visit the museums, I was contented in sitting on the grass and watch this icon that can only be found in the city. Just to give you a bit of information about this National Monument, it was completed in 1975 during the time of President Soeharto (Suharto). It is 137-tall made of marble and have a flame on top coated with gold. If you wish to have a view of the city, you can have a free entrance to the observation platform.

Monas is open from 830AM to 5:00PM Monday to Sunday

For more information, you may call the telephone number I provided below. Have a safe travel.

If you're interested in visitting tower all over the world, this one should not be missed if you're in Jakarta. Monumen Nasional is one the first high building in Jakarta. Sorrounded by city park, there are also government offices, Gambir train station, National Museum and presidential palace nearby.

This monument stands tall and strong at a height of 137 metres and is widely visited by tourist and locals alike. On top of the obelisk is a shape of a flame in gold. The Monas is surrounded by a nice park and a few other smaller monuments which makes it a very nice place to chill out on the weekends with your families.