The National Monument

The National Monument or commonly known as Monas or Monas Monument is located in Jakarta City. Monas is a memorial to remember the struggle of the Indonesian people in seizing independence and giving resistance to the Dutch colonizers. Monas has a height of 132 meters or 433 feet. Monas building was built on August 17, 1961 on the orders of the first president of the Republic of Indonesia, Soekarno.

Monas began to open for the public or the general public on July 12, 1975. For the crown of Monasnya flame-shaped tongue of fire, symbolizes the struggle that so enthusiastic in seizing the independence and against the invaders. His flames were covered with gold sheets. National Monument precisely located at Medan Merdeka Square, Central Jakarta. The monuments and museums inside are open daily. Starting from 08:00 to 15:00. On Monday at the last week Monument is closed every month.

History of Monas

Formerly the central government of Indonesia was in Yogyakarta and after the central government returned to Jakarta, which occurred in 1950. After the Dutch government previously recognized the sovereignty of Indonesia, occurred in 1949. President Sukarno has begun to make a draft of a monument planned to be built in front of the Merdeka Palace . He planned a monument commensurate with the Eiffle Tower located in Paris. The construction of the monument aims to commemorate the struggle against the invaders and seize independence. In addition to these reasons the construction of the monument is also aimed at the spirit of patriotism of the youth and future generations continue to fly.

In 1955 the competition was held to find the right monument designer. The number of incoming works amounts to 51 pieces and the selected only 1 work that belongs to Frederich Silaban. Selected works have criteria, can last for centuries and can describe the character of the nation. The second contest was held in 1960, but no work was found that fulfilled the criteria. Out of 136 works none matches one.

Furthermore the head of the jury asked Silaban to show his design to Soekarno, but after seeing the draft, President Soekarno did not like it. He wants a monument with the shape of phallus and yoni. Then Silaban asked to re-create the design in accordance with the theme desired by the president. However, the design of Silaban is extraordinary and requires a lot of funds, so the state budget can not finance its development. Silaban refused when asked to draw a smaller design and demanded that development be postponed until the Indonesian economy is better.

Furthermore, President Soekarno also asked R.M. Soedarsono continue the draft. So he included elements 17, 8, and 45 which were the date of independence, into the design of his monument. And finally the construction of the monument began and stood on 80 hectares of land, with architects Friedrich Silaban and R.M. Soedarsono.

Monas Development

The monument was built in two stages: in the first stage (1961 / 1962-1964 / 1965) when the construction started on August 17, 1961, President Soekarno installed the first concrete peg. The concrete pile used as the foundation is 284 stakes of concrete. And for pasak bumi used as the foundation of this museum amounts to 360 pieces. The installation of the foundation was completed in 1962 in March. The museum wall at the base of the building was completed in October.

For the second phase of development carried out in 1966-1968 because of the Movement of 30 September 1965 (PKI), development was delayed. Then resumed in 1969-1976 by adding dioramas to the history museum. Although the construction is over, there are still problems with this building. One of them is water that leak and make the museum flooded. Monas was officially opened on 12 July 1975 by Soekarno.

The place of Monas development is named Medan Merdeka until now. However, the field had also changed the name several times starting from Gambir Square, Ikada, Merdeka, Monas, and Monas Park Field. Around the monument there is a pool and also a garden and an open field. The field is widely used as a sports venue. Medan Field Merdeka will be crowded visitors especially on holidays. Many people come here to just take a walk while enjoying the beauty of Monas or doing other activities.

National Museum of History

At the base of the National Monument we can find a place called the National History Museum. The museum is at a depth of 3 meters below the monument. Museum with size 80 × 80 meters can accommodate up to 500 people visitors. The large room is covered with marble, has 48 dioramas on all four sides and 3 dioramas in the middle, totaling 51 dioras. The diorama displays the condition of the Indonesian nation that started from prehistoric times until the New Order period. Seeing the diorama starting from the northeast direction and walking clockwise starting from prehistoric times, empire, European colonialism, national hero resistance against VOC, Dutch government, national movement early 20th century, Japan occupied Indonesia, war of independence and revolution, The new Suharto government.

Space Independence

On the inside of the monument is the Space of Independence. To achieve it can go through the spinning staircase either from the north or south. This is where the symbols of freedom and statehood are well preserved, some of which are original manuscripts of proclamation in glass boxes and in gold-plated gates, NKRI archipelago maps are also gold-plated, the state symbol, red and white flags. As well as a wall that has a writing proclamation.

The in-depth Independence Space is useful for a moment of silence and a restful atmosphere recalling the nation's struggle and the essence of freedom. The golden gate in which is stored the original proclamation manuscript made of bronze with a weight of 4 tons with ornate carvings of wijaya kusuma symbols of eternity as well as lotus flower symbol of purity. This door is also known by the name of the gate of independence that will mechanically open to the strains of song Padamu Negeri.

Then followed by reading the manuscript proclamation by Sukarno. The southern side there is a statue of garuda pancasila made of bronze with a weight of 3.5 tons and coated with gold. The east side is a proclamation text with bronze letters. The Saka Merah Putih was not shown because of his old and fragile condition. In the northern part contains the Indonesian archipelago coated with gold, as a symbol of the location of NKRI.

Peak Freedom Flower and Fire Platform

There is an elevator that will take the tourists to the top of the courtyard which measures 11 × 11 meters. The height of this place from the ground is 115 meters. In a one-time visitor, the lift can accommodate up to 11 people. While the top ground can accommodate up to 50 people. And here is also available binoculars that can be used to see the beauty of the city of Jakarta from a height. The elevator body is surrounded by an emergency staircase all made of iron.

If there is no smoke and sunny weather then from the top of Monas we can see Mount Salak through binoculars and also blue ocean with small islands around it. At the peak of this monument there is also a gold coated plate that is useful to withstand the flame of bronze lights weighing up to 14.5 tons. As for the fire tongue has a height of 14 meters and a diameter of 6 meters. It consists of 77 sections which are then put together.

As explained earlier that the flame that is the crown of Monas is a symbol of the struggle and resistance of the Indonesian nation against the invaders. At first the sheets that cover the Monas weigh 35 kg. But at the 50th anniversary of Indonesia's independence in 1995, the gold sheets were re-coated so that up to now it weighs 50 kg.

The peak of Monas Monument in the form of fire that never go away, it is expected that the spirit of the Indonesian nation in the fight remains burning and burning to whenever. The 17-meter wide bowl plates give its own beauty and can be reached using elevators from the top of the Monas court. For the gold of Monas torch, 28 of 38 kg of gold is donated by Acehnese businessman named Teuku Markam.

Monas Park

To get rid of the taste and refreshing can visit Monas Park, this park is a kind of city forest with design like a garden which is very beautiful. In this park we can do various activities like get together and relax with family and also sport. In addition it can also play with a herd of deer that was deliberately imported from the Bogor Palace.

Monas Park is equipped with a pool of dancing fountains that have a variety of colors such as rainbows. The fountain will move like a dance in accordance with the accompanying strains of the song. There are also colorful laser show here. The rocks in the sharp Monas Park can be used for reflexology. Facilities include a ball and basketball court, as well as a tourist train. Entrance to the Park is free.

Let's visit Indonesia, and visit the National Monument located in Jakarta.