Monas

The Monumen Nasional (or Tugu Monas, the National Monument tower) is a 450 ft (137 m) tall tower in Central Jakarta, symbolizing the fight for Indonesia's Independence. Its construction began in 1961 under Sukarno and not finished until 1975 under Suharto. It is topped by a 14.5 tonnes of flame-shaped bronze plated in 35 kg (1125 troy ounces) of gold.

Visitors can take a lift up to a platform with a good view on Medan Merdeka Park, Istiqlal Mosque and the city (if it's not too foggy); inside the base of the monument is an exhibition of the declaration of independence and several dioramas showing the history of Indonesia.

The National Monument is one of the monuments in Jakarta erected to commemorate the Indonesian people fighting against the Dutch colonialist. The monument is located in central Jakarta, it is at the Lapangan monas (Monas square). The monument, with its unique style and is 137 m in height , was made of marbles with phallus form symbolizing the fertilizing. The flaming torch shape weighing 14.5 kg and is plated with 35 kg gold is placed on the top of the monument . The torch symbolizes the Indonesian people fighting for independence. The monument, erected at a 80-hectare land was officially opened for public on 12 July 1975, is known as Tugu Monas. The architect for this monument was Soedarsono and F. Silaban and the consultant was Ir. Rooseno. Before it is popular with Tugu Monas, the monument had five names, they were Lapangan Gambir, Lapangan Ikada, Lapangan Merdeka, Lapangan Monas and Taman Monas. Parks, two ponds and the open-air sport field surrounds the monument. This monument become the well-known tourist object for the holiday goers in Jakarta . Inside the monument is the museum and a hall for meditation and it is equipped with the elevator. At the top of the monument the Jakarta city is seen to be more crowded. The monument daily opens at 9:00 am - 04:00 pm.