Monas

The National Monument

Monas (Monumen Nasional) is a very popular tourist destination in Jakarta. It is located on Medan Merdeka square, in the middle of an eighty hectare square of land. Monas, the short of National Monument, is a 132-meter monument built to commemorate the patriots' fight against Dutch East Indies to gain Indonesia's independence. At the top, a bronze flame coated with gold illuminates its surrounding. The tall monument sits in the center of the city, reminding those who pass it of the patriots' struggle. Construction began in 1961 under the direction of President Sukarno. Monas was opened to the public in 1975. It is topped by a flame covered with gold foil.