History of Monas Monument, Jakarta
30 Aug 2013 00:33:00
Who does not know the Monas? All citizens of Indonesia must recognize one of the most famous icon in the Indonesian capital. Monumen Nasional (National Monument) or better known as Monas is a monument to the height of about 132 meters. Monas Monument was built to commemorate the resistance and struggle of the Indonesian people in independence from Dutch colonial government.
Monas Monument was designed by Friedrich Silaban and RM Soedarsono and began its construction on August 17th, 1961 under the command of President Sukarno, and was inaugurated and opened to the public on July 12th, 1975 by President Soeharto. Monas Monument development consisted of three phases. The first phase took place between the years 1961/1962 - 1964/1965, which at that time President Soekarno inaugurated symbolically by putting the development of the first concrete peg. The second phase took place between 1966 until 1968. This two-phase constructions were delayed due to the rebellion of Movement 30 September 1965. And finally the last stage has been carried out around 1969 to 1976.
The shape of the monument with Lingga and Yoni concept symbolizes fertility and harmonious unity and complementarity. Towering monument portrayed as Lingga symbolizes the male element and daytime, while the cup-shaped court described as Yoni symbolizes the female element and evening. But the form of Monas can also be interpreted as a pair of Alu and Lesung the traditional rice pestle depicting Indonesian culture.
The interesting about this monument is the fourteen metres flames-shaped peak covered with gold sheets weighing 50 kg which symbolizes the spirit of the struggle of the Indonesian people which was always burning, where as much as 28 kilograms of gold in the flame was a donation from Teuku Markam, a businessman from Aceh who had become one of the richest men in Indonesia.
While on the outside of the monument there is a page that describes the relief of Indonesian history. At the base of the building also contained an Indonesian National History Museum that can accommodate about 500 people. This monument is located right at the center of Medan Merdeka Square, Central Jakarta, you can visit every day from 08.00 am - 03.00 pm. But for the last Monday of each month, this monument is closed to for public.
