Indonesia National Monument

The National Monument in Indonesia is a 422 ft or 128.7 m tower in Central Jakarta, which representing the fight for Indonesia independence. The construction of monument began in 1961 under the direction of President Sukarno and the monument was opened to the public in 1975. It is topped by a flame covered with gold foil.

After the Indonesian government returned to Jakarta from Yogyakarta in 1950 next to the Dutch recognition of Indonesian independence, President Sukarno began the construction of a national monument equal to the Eiffel Tower on the square in front of the presidential palace. On 17 August 1954, a National Monument Committee was created and a drawing contest was held in 1955. This attracted 51 entries, only one design, by Frederich Silaban, met the criteria determined by the committee, which reflecting the character of Indonesia. Another competition was held in 1960, but once again, none of the 136 entries met the criteria. The chairman of the jury team asked Silaban to show to Sukarno. Sukarno not likes the design as he wanted the monument to be in the form of linga and yoni. Silaban was asked to design such a monument, but his design was for a monument that would have been unaffordable given the economic conditions at the time. Silaban refused to design a smaller monument, telling that construction be postponed until the Indonesian economy improved. Sukarno then asked the architect R.M. Soedarsono to carry on with the design. Soedarsono included the numbers 17, 8 and 45, representing the 17 August 1945 Proclamation of Indonesian Independence, in the dimensions of the monument.

Construction proceeded in three stages. The first period, from 1961/1962 - 1964/1965 began with the official start of construction on 17 August 1961 with Sukarno ceremonially driving in the first concrete pile. A total of 284 piles were used for the foundation block. A further 360 piles were driven in for the museum foundations, with work finished in March 1962. The walls of the museum in base were completed by October. Construction of the obelisk commenced and was finished in August 1963. Work in second stage, from 1966 to 1968 was delayed by shortages of funding and after the 30 September Movement coup attempt. In the final stage, from 1969-1976, the dioramas for the historical museum were added. Problems stayed once construction was complete, and work was required to solve problems with water leaking into the museum. The monument was officially opened to public on 12 July 1975. The location of the construction site was formerly known as Merdeka Square.


The monument consists of a 117.7m obelisk on a 45m square platform at a height of 17m, the goblet yard. The obelisk itself is clad with Italian marble. A lift inside carries visitors to the 11m by 11m viewing platform, at a height of 115m. There is a staircase for use in emergencies. It is topped by a 14.5 ton bronze Flame of Independence containing the lift engine, which is covered with 35kg or 50kg of gold foil. The obelisk and flame symbolize the Indonesia people's struggle for independence. Inside the base is the historical museum, a marble-lined room with 48 dioramas showing scenes from Indonesian history from prehistory until the New Order and the Independence Room, which contains symbols of Indonesian independence, including the Declaration of Independence in a glass case, and the Indonesia coat of arms.

A pond measuring 25m x 25m was intended to cold water for the air conditioning system in the monument as well as to enhance the beauty of the surrounding area. To the north of the monument, there is a statue of Indonesia national hero Prince Diponegoro by Italian sculptor Cobertaldo.