The National Monument

As the symbol of the city,The National Monument, or "Monas" as it is popularly called, is a very special landmark in Jakarta. The 137-meter tall marble obelisk is topped with a flame coated with 35 kg of gold. It was build during the first President, Soekarno, to stands for the people's determination to achieve freedom and the crowning of their efforts in the Proclamation of Independence in August 1945

The National Monument was build on 80 acres land including city park with beautiful dancing fountain. The National Monument was build by Soedarsono dan Frederich Silaba as the architecs and Ir.Rooseno as he consultant. It was start to build from August 1959 and launched on August 17, 1961 by The Presiden, Soekarno. It was opened for public since July 12th, 1975.

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.

It is recommended to go early to beat the crowds and the haze. It is easy for the less physically able as lifts take visitors to the top. The diorama exhibition in the basement gives such a distorted view of Indonesian history - thanks to the dictator Suharto wanting to brainwash the nation - it's amusing.