- Address: Gambir, Central Jakarta City, Jakarta, Indonesia
- Phone: +62 21 3822255
- Website: jakarta.go.id
- Working hours: daily 07: 00-00: 00
- Architects: Frederich Silaban, RM Soedarsono
- Start of construction: August 17, 1961.
- Height: 132 m
- The cost of visiting: $ 0.19 (main complex), $ 0.56 (lookout tower)
In the capital of Indonesia , Jakarta , there are many interesting sites worthy of attention of tourists. It is here that Medan Merdeka is located - an area considered one of the largest in the world. Its center is the National Monument, which is also a monument to the country's independence and the embodiment of the male and female origins - lingam and yoni.
Stages of construction of the National Monument
This 132-meter tower is on the list of national monuments of the country. Its construction took place in three stages. The construction of the National Monument was started in August 1961. For him, 284 piles were slaughtered, one of which was set by the country's president, Ahmed Sukarno. Other 386 piles served as the foundation of the building, which now houses the Historical Museum .
The second stage of the construction of the National Monument was delayed due to insufficient funding and an unsuccessful coup attempt. Before the construction was completed in July 1975, a National Museum was erected near the obelisk.
Features and significance of the National Monument
The obelisk has a cyclopean shape, on top of which an observation deck is installed. Its height is 117 m, and the area of the platform on which it is installed is 45 sq. M. At the top of the National Monument there is a sculpture in the form of fire - "Flame of Independence". When creating the torch, bronze was used, which was covered with pure gold. The total weight of precious metal is 33 kg. The main part of the obelisk was cast from Italian marble.
The monument serves as a reminder of how difficult Indonesia was to get sovereignty, and how many difficulties had to be experienced by its inhabitants during the war with the colonizers.
Many scientists see in the National Monument the personification of the philosophy of Lingam and Yoni. The tower itself is a symbol of the pestle (the masculine principle), and its platform, shaped like a bowl, serves as a symbol of the feminine principle.
Interior of the National Monument
Despite such a simple form, there are many halls inside the monument. On its internal walls are cement reliefs, on which fragments of important for Indonesia events that occurred during the time of the Singhasari empire, European colonization and Japanese occupation were knocked out.
Inside the National Monument there are the following objects:
- National Historical Museum with dioramas showing different periods in the history of the country;
- The Independence Hall, which holds the original of the Declaration of Independence, a bronze statue of the arms of Indonesia and other state symbols;
- an observation deck, where you can get on a special elevator.
To the north of the obelisk is an artificial pool, the water from which cools the museum's air-conditioning system. It also serves as a decoration for the Merdeka square. Next to the National Monument is a statue of the hero of the country - Prince Diponegoro. Over its creation, the Italian sculptor Cobertaldo worked.
How to get to the National Monument?
The monument is located in Jakarta in the heart of the Merdeka square, along which Jl streets pass. Medan Merdeka Utara and Jl. Medan Merdeka Barat. You can get to the National Monument from any part of the city. To do this, it is enough to take a taxi or take bus number 12, 939, AC106, BT01, P125 and R926. Bus stops are located along the perimeter of the square. At 400 m from the monument is the Gambir metro station, which is included in the route of most of the city and intercity lines.