Holiday Ayo -    Indonesia’s national monument becomes one of the most historical monuments in Indonesia. It is located in Gambir, Jakarta one of the most popular metropolitan cities in Indonesia.

Indonesia's national monument was built around 1961 as the monument for reminiscing the struggle for Indonesian independence in 1945.

Nowadays the monument functions as a museum in Jakarta that is worth visiting for educational tourism. Moreover, the building of this monument becomes one of the oldest buildings in Indonesia.

You can find so many historical documentaries in Indonesia’s national monuments during the struggle eras. That makes this monument becomes so popular for the student who learns Indonesian history.

Monas (Monumen Nasional) is a very popular tourist destination in Jakarta. It is located on Medan Merdeka square, in the middle of eighty-hectare squares of land. Since the monument is 132 meters in height, it is easily spotted.

This National Monument of Indonesia symbolizes the Indonesian's fight for freedom. Hence, some of the dimensions are related to Indonesia's Independence date: August 17, 1945. It started to be built on August 17, 1961 and was completed on July 12, 1975. 

The peak of the monument is crowned with the flame of independence that looks like gold. Thus, people often joke about it, they want to take the gold from Monas. Actually, it is a bronze structure covered with gold foils. Initially, 35 kilograms of gold foils covered the flame, but it was recoated and increased to 50 kilograms during the 50th anniversary of Indonesian independence.

Presently, the garden where Monas is located is called Medan Merdeka square. It is a city square surrounded by several important buildings, such as Istana Merdeka (the presidential palace), Museum Nasional, many ministry offices, an Indonesian army headquarter, Istiqlal mosque, US embassy, and the new National Library. Gambir railway station is on the east side of the park.

Over the years the square has had many names. Initially, the Dutch called it Koningsplein (King's square), while the locals called it Lapangan Gambir (Gambir square) because there are many gambir plants there. In 1942, the Japanese changed the name to Ikada square (Ikatan Atletik Djakarta = Jakarta Athletic Association). After Indonesia's independence, our first President changed the name to Medan Merdeka (Independence square). 

Still, the place is more popular than Monas square.