The Monument of National, also known as Monas or Tugu Monas, is a 132-meter (433-foot) tall commemorative monument located right in the middle of Lapangan Medan Merdeka, Central Jakarta. Monas was built to commemorate the resistance and struggle of the Indonesian people in gaining independence from the colonial government of the Dutch Empire. Construction began on August 17, 1961, under the order of President Soekarno and was officially opened to the public on July 12, 1975, by President Soeharto. The monument is crowned with a flame-shaped torch coated with gold leaf, symbolizing the burning spirit of the Indonesian people.
The initial idea for the establishment of the Monument came from an ordinary Indonesian citizen, a private individual, a simple city dweller from Jakarta named Sarwoko Martokoesoemo," said Sudiro. After the central government of the Republic of Indonesia returned to Jakarta from Yogyakarta in 1950, following the recognition of Indonesian sovereignty by the colonial government of the Netherlands in 1949, plans were made to build a National Monument that would be equivalent to the Eiffel Tower, right in front of the Merdeka Palace.
The construction of Monas aimed to commemorate and preserve the struggle of the Indonesian people during the independence revolution of 1945, in order to continue inspiring and instilling a sense of patriotism in future generations.
On August 17, 1954, a national committee was formed and a design competition for the National Monument was held in 1955. There were 51 entries, but only one design by Friedrich Silaban met the committee's criteria, including depicting the character of the Indonesian nation and being able to withstand the test of time. A second competition was held in 1960, but once again, none of the 136 participants met the criteria.
The chairman of the jury then asked Silaban to present his design to Soekarno. However, Soekarno was not fond of the design and wanted the monument to be in the shape of a lingam and yoni. Silaban was then asked to design the monument with that theme, but his proposed design was too extravagant and costly, beyond the government's budget, especially considering the poor economic conditions at that time. Silaban refused to design a smaller structure and suggested that the construction be postponed until Indonesia's economy improved. Soekarno then asked architect Soedarsono to continue the design. Soedarsono incorporated the numbers 17, 8, and 45, symbolizing the August 17, 1945 proclamation.
Soekarno inspected the construction of Monas.
This photo was taken around 1963-1964. The construction consisted of three stages. The first stage, from 1961/1962 to 1964/1965, began with the official start of construction on August 17, 1961, with Soekarno ceremonially placing the first concrete stake. A total of 284 concrete stakes were used as the building's foundation. 360 earth stakes were planted for the foundation of the national history museum. The entire foundation was completed in March 1962.
The museum walls at the base of the building were completed in October. The construction of the obelisk then began and was finally completed in August 1963. The second stage of construction took place from 1966 to 1968 due to the occurrence of the September 30 Movement, which caused a delay in this stage. The final stage took place from 1969 to 1976, adding dioramas to the history museum. Despite the completion of the construction, problems still occurred, such as water leakage that flooded the museum.
The monument was officially opened to the public and inaugurated on July 12, 1975, by President of the Republic of Indonesia, Soeharto. The construction site of this monument is known as Medan Merdeka. Monas Square has undergone five name changes, namely Gambir Square, Ikada Square, Merdeka Square, Monas Square, and Monas Park. Surrounding the monument are gardens, two ponds, and several open fields for sports activities. On holidays, Medan Merdeka is filled with visitors who enjoy the view of Monas Monument and engage in various activities in the park.
The construction of the National Monument is currently underway.
The design of the Monas Monument is based on the concept of the eternal universal couple; Lingga and Yoni. The towering obelisk monument represents Lingga, symbolizing masculinity, active and positive elements, and representing daytime. On the other hand, the platform of the obelisk is Yoni, symbolizing femininity, passive and negative elements, and representing nighttime. Lingga and Yoni are symbols of fertility and harmonious unity that have been present in Indonesian culture since prehistoric times.
Additionally, the shape of the Monas Monument can also be interpreted as a pair of "alu" and "lesung," traditional rice pounding tools found in every traditional Indonesian household. Therefore, the design of Monas is rich in the unique cultural dimensions of Indonesia. The monument consists of a 117.7-meter obelisk on a 17-meter high square platform, adorned with Italian marble.
The 25 x 25-meter pool in Taman Medan Merdeka Utara is designed as part of the air cooling system and to enhance the beauty of Monas Park. Nearby, there is a fountain pool and a bronze statue of Prince Diponegoro riding a horse, weighing 8 tons. The statue was created by Italian sculptor, Prof. Coberlato, as a contribution from the Honorary Consul General, Dr. Mario, in Indonesia. The entrance to Monas is located in Taman Medan Merdeka Utara, near the statue of Prince Diponegoro.
Visitors enter through a tunnel that is 3 meters below the park and the crossroad of Monas. This is where visitors can access the Monas Monument. The ticket booth is located at the end of the tunnel. When visitors ascend to the surface on the north side of Monas, they can continue to explore the historical reliefs of Indonesia's struggle, enter the National History Museum through the entrance in the northeast corner, or go directly to the center to visit the Independence Room or take the elevator to the top platform of the monument.
The relief sculptures depicting the history of Indonesia showcase.
Gajah Mada and the history of Majapahit. Surrounding the monument, at every corner of the outer page, there are reliefs that portray the history of Indonesia. It all starts at the northeast corner, capturing the glory of Nusantara in the past; showcasing the history of Singhasari and Majapahit. The reliefs continue chronologically in a clockwise direction towards the southeast, southwest, and northwest corners.
Chronologically, these reliefs depict the Dutch colonization, the Indonesian people's resistance, and the national heroes of Indonesia. They also portray the formation of modern organizations that fought for Indonesia's independence in the early 20th century, the Youth Pledge, the Japanese occupation and World War II, the proclamation of Indonesian independence followed by the Revolution and the War of Independence of the Republic of Indonesia, until reaching the era of modern Indonesian development. These reliefs and statues are made of cement with a pipe or metal framework, but some of the statues and sculptures appear neglected and damaged due to rain and the tropical weather.
The relief sculptures showcasing the history of Indonesia are truly remarkable. They take you on a journey through time, capturing the significant events and milestones that shaped the nation. From the ancient kingdoms of Singhasari and Majapahit to the struggles against Dutch colonization and the fight for independence, these reliefs provide a visual narrative of Indonesia's rich history. It's unfortunate that some of the statues and sculptures have suffered damage over time, but they still serve as a powerful reminder of the past and the resilience of the Indonesian people.
The National History Museum of Indonesia
At the base of the monument, 3 meters below the ground surface, lies the National History Museum of Indonesia. This spacious museum, measuring 80 x 80 meters, can accommodate around 500 visitors. Adorned with marble, the large room houses a total of 51 dioramas, with 48 on its four sides and 3 in the center. These dioramas depict the history of Indonesia, starting from prehistoric times to the era of the New Order. The journey begins from the northeast corner, moving clockwise, tracing the historical milestones of Indonesia; from prehistoric times to ancient empires like Sriwijaya and Majapahit, followed by the European colonization period and the resistance of national heroes against the Dutch East India Company and the Dutch East Indies government. The dioramas continue to portray the early 20th-century national movement, the Japanese occupation, the war for independence, the revolution, and finally, the New Order era under the leadership of Soeharto's government.
The National History Museum of Indonesia, located 3 meters below the ground, beneath the monument, is a fascinating place to explore. With its vast size of 80 x 80 meters, the museum can accommodate up to 500 visitors. The grand room, adorned with layers of marble, showcases a total of 51 dioramas. These dioramas provide a visual narrative of Indonesia's history, spanning from prehistoric times to the New Order era. Starting from the northeast corner and moving in a clockwise direction, the dioramas take you on a journey through time, covering various periods such as the ancient empires of Sriwijaya and Majapahit, the European colonization era, the resistance against the Dutch East India Company and the Dutch East Indies government by national heroes, the early 20th-century national movement, the Japanese occupation, the war for independence, the revolution, and finally, the New Order era under the leadership of Soeharto's government.
Immerse yourself in the rich history of Indonesia at the National History Museum. Located beneath the monument, 3 meters below ground level, this expansive museum offers a captivating experience. Spanning an impressive area of 80 x 80 meters, the museum can accommodate approximately 500 visitors. Inside, you'll find a stunning display of 51 dioramas, with 48 lining the four sides and 3 positioned in the center. These dioramas beautifully depict Indonesia's history, starting from prehistoric times and extending all the way to the New Order.
Inside the cup-shaped monument, there is a Freedom Space in the form of an amphitheater. This room can be accessed through spiral stairs from the north and south doors. The room houses symbols of the Indonesian statehood and independence, including the original manuscript of the Indonesian Independence Proclamation, which is kept in a glass box inside the golden gate, the Indonesian national emblem, the archipelago map of the Republic of Indonesia in gold, and the red and white flag and walls with the text of the Indonesian Independence Proclamation.
The Freedom Space inside the National Monument is used as a quiet space for reflection and meditation on the essence of independence and the struggle of the Indonesian people. The original manuscript of the Indonesian Independence Proclamation is kept in a glass box inside the golden gate. This mechanical door, made of 4-ton bronze coated with gold, is adorned with carvings of the Wijaya Kusuma flower symbolizing immortality, and the Lotus flower symbolizing purity. The door is located on the west wall in the middle of the room and is covered in black marble. This door is known as the Gate of Independence, which mechanically opens while playing the song "Padamu Negeri" followed by a recording of Soekarno's voice reading the proclamation script on August 17, 1945.
On the south side, there is a statue of Garuda Pancasila, the national emblem of Indonesia, made of 3.5-ton bronze coated with gold. On the east side, there is a bronze inscription of the proclamation script, which should display the most sacred and revered flag, the Sang Saka Merah Putih, which was originally raised on August 17, 1945. However, due to its old and fragile condition, this sacred flag is not displayed. The north side of this black marble wall displays the archipelago of Nusantara in gold, symbolizing the location of the Republic of Indonesia.
The Pelataran Puncak and Api Kemerdekaan,
Also known as the Peak Terrace and Flame of Independence, offers visitors a breathtaking view of Jakarta from a height of 115 meters. In 1993, an elderly man was seen enjoying the Jakarta panorama through the glass at the Pelataran Puncak and Api Kemerdekaan Monas. An elevator on the south side of the entrance takes visitors to the 11 x 11 meter peak terrace, which is located 115 meters above ground level.
The elevator has a capacity of 11 people per ride, and the peak terrace can accommodate around 50 people. There are also telescopes available for a closer look at the Jakarta panorama. Surrounding the elevator is an emergency staircase made of iron. From the peak terrace of Monas Monument, visitors can enjoy a panoramic view of Jakarta from all directions. On a clear day without haze, the distant Mount Salak in the Bogor regency of West Java can be seen to the south, while to the north, the open sea stretches with small islands scattered around.
At the top of the National Monument, there is a cup that supports a bronze lamp weighing 14.5 tons and coated with 35 kilograms of gold. This torch, or flame, stands at a height of 14 meters and has a diameter of 6 meters, consisting of 77 parts that are joined together. The flame symbolizes the spirit of the Indonesian people's struggle for independence. Initially, the bronze flame was coated with a 35-kilogram gold sheet.
However, in anticipation of the celebration of Indonesia's 50th anniversary of independence in 1995, the gold sheet was re-coated, increasing its weight to 50 kilograms. The peak of the monument is in the form of the "Unextinguished Flame," which signifies that the Indonesian nation always has a burning spirit in its fight and never falters or extinguishes throughout time. The cup terrace provides a view for visitors from a height of 17 meters above ground level. The cup terrace can be reached by elevator when descending from the peak terrace or by stairs leading to the base of the cup. The height of the cup terrace from the base is 17 meters.
The high range between the historical museum space to the bottom of the cup is 8 meters (3 meters underground plus 5 meters of stairs leading to the bottom of the cup). The square-shaped courtyard, measuring 45 x 45 meters, is all a preservation of the sacred numbers of the Proclamation of Indonesian Independence (17-8-1945).
Out of the 38 kg of gold in the Monas torch, 28 kg was donated by Teuku Markam, an Acehnese businessman who was once one of the richest people in Indonesia.
Bus Routes
Transjakarta: 1 6A 6B at Monumen Nasional bus stop, 2 2A 2D 7 (7F) at Balai Kota bus stop
Transjakarta: 1A Balai Kota-PIK Fresh Market
Transjakarta: 1P Pasar Senen Terminal-Bundaran Senayan bus stop
Transjakarta: 1R Pasar Senen Terminal-Tanah Abang Station
Transjakarta: 5A Jelambar-Kampung Melayu Terminal
Transjakarta: DA4 Jakarta Kota Station-Dukuh Atas MRT Station
Train Routes
KAI Gambir Station serves long-distance train trips to West Java, Central Java, and East Java
MRT Jakarta North-South Line Phase 2 (Bundaran HI-Ancol Barat) at Monas Station (currently under construction. Targeted to be completed by 2025)
Inside the Monumen Nasional complex, there is a tourist train that takes visitors to the monument's entrance. This tourist train was inaugurated on March 9, 2008, by the Governor of Jakarta, Fauzi Bowo. The train transports passengers from IRTI Field (Silang Monas Barat Daya) to the entrance of the tunnel area, with no stops except at designated stops. The train operates from 06:00 AM to 04:00 PM daily, and passengers are not charged any fees.