NATIONAL MONUMENT

National Monument or the popular abbreviated Monas is a monument as high as 132 meters (433 feet) which was established in memory of resistance and struggle of the people of Indonesia for independence from the colonial Dutch East Indies. Construction of this monument began on August 17, 1961 under the orders of President Sukarno, and was opened to the public on July 12, 1975. The monument is crowned with flames of gold coated sheet which symbolizes the spirit of struggle burning. The National Monument is located right in the center of Medan Merdeka Square, Central Jakarta. Monument and the museum is open every day starting at 08:00 to 15:00 West Indonesia Time. On Monday the last week of the month is closed for the public.

Monas design based on the universal concept of eternal partner; Lingga and Yoni. Towering obelisk monument is the Lingga which symbolizes male, masculine element that is active and positive, and symbolizes the day. While the court of the base plate obelisk is Yoni that symbolizes female, feminine elements of a passive and negative, and symbolizes the night. Lingga and Yoni is the symbol of fertility and the harmonious unity of complementary Indonesia since prehistoric times.

In the outer courtyard surrounding the monument, on every corner there arise relief describing history of Indonesia. Relief was started in the northeast corner to perpetuate the glory of the archipelago in the past; display Singhasari history and Majapahit. This relief continues in chronological order in a clockwise direction toward the southeast corner, southwest, and northwest. Chronologically describing the Dutch colonial period.

On the inside of the cup of the monument, there is an Independence space shaped amphitheater. This room can be achieved through the steps of the revolving door of the north and south. The room holds a state symbol and independence of the Republic of Indonesia. Among the original manuscript of the Proclamation of Independence of Indonesia which is stored in a glass case inside the gilded gates, symbol of Indonesia, a map of the islands of the Republic of Indonesia plated gold, red and white flag, and the walls are inscribed the manuscript proclamation of independence of the Republic of Indonesia.

An elevator (lift) on the south side of the door will take visitors to the court of the peak size of 11 x 11 meters at an altitude of 115 meters from the ground. This elevator with a capacity of 11 people at a haul. Court of this peak can accommodate about 50 people, and there are binoculars to view the panorama of Jakarta closer. Around the elevator bodies there are stairwell made ​​of iron. From the top of the monument yard, visitors can enjoy views across the city. When the weather conditions without the smoke haze, in the direction to the south seen from a distance of Mount Salak in Bogor district, West Java, northward extending the sea with the small islands.

You can go to Monas with the Damri Shuttle Bus from the airport, with the aim of Gambir Station. From Gambir Station, it seen monument next to the West, you can walk to get there about 10 minutes. Do not worry about overheating, because your journey will shaded with trees in the Garden of Monas.