NATIONAL MONUMET OF INDONESIA

NATIONAL MONUMET OF INDONESIA

The National Monument (Indonesia: Monumen Nasional (Monas)) is a 433 ft (132 metre) tower in the centre of Merdeka Square, Central Jakarta, symbolizing the fight for Indonesia 's independence.

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.

Construction began in 1961 under the direction of President Sukarno and the monument was opened to the public in 1975. It is topped by a flame covered with gold foil. The monument and the museum is open daily from 08.00 - 15.00 Western Indonesia Time (UTC+7), everyday throughout the week, except for the last Monday of each month, when the monument is closed.

BACKGROUND

After the Indonesian government returned to Jakarta from Yogyakarta in 1950 following the Dutch recognition of Indonesian independence, President Sukarno began to contemplate the construction of a national monument comparable to the Eiffel Tower on the square in front of the Presidential Palace. On 17 August 1954, a National Monument Committee was established and a design competition was held in 1955. This attracted 51 entries, but only one design, by Frederich Silaban, met any of the criteria determined by the committee, which included reflecting the character of Indonesia in a building capable of lasting for centuries. A repeat competition was held in 1960, but once again, none of the 136 entries met the criteria. The chairman of the jury team then asked Silaban to show his design to Sukarno. However, Sukarno did not like the design as he wanted the monument to be in the form of a linga and yoni. Silaban was asked to design such a monument, but his design was for a monument so large that it would have been unaffordable given the economic conditions at the time. Silaban refused to design a smaller monument, suggesting that construction be delayed until the Indonesian economy improved. Sukarno then asked the architect R.M. Soedarsono to continue with the design. Soedarsono incorporated the numbers 17, 8 and 45, representing the 17 August 1945 Proclamation of Indonesian Independence, in the dimensions of the monument

The peak platform observation dack and flame of independence

The 115 meter-high platform where visitors can look out over central Jakarta

A lift on the southern side carries visitors to the 11 metre by 11 metre viewing platform, at a height of 115 metres. The capacity of the elevator is about 11 people. The top platform can accommodate about 50 people, and also provided with binoculars. There is also a staircase for use in emergencies. The total height of the monument is 132 metres. The distance from the viewing platform to the tip of the flame is 17 metres. The ticket to top platform is Rp.7,500 for adult at beginning of January 2011.

The monument is topped by a 14.5 ton bronze Flame of Independence containing the lift engine. The base of the flame where the elevator door is located is 3 metres high and is in the shape of a goblet. The bronze flame structure measures 14 metres in height and 6 metres in diameter, It consists of 77 sections bound together. Originally the bronze flame structure was covered with 35 kg of gold foil, however during the 50th anniversary of Indonesian independence in1995, the gold foil was recoated and increased to 50 kg gold foil. The obelisk and flame symbolize the Indonesia people's struggle for independence. The middle platform on top of the cawan (goblet) provides visitor with views of the surroundings from a height of 17 metres. The goblet yard is accessible through elevator on the way down or through the stairs.

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