The National Monument or "Monas" is Jakarta's most famous landmark, 450 ft (137 m) tall tower in Central Jakarta. It is topped by a 14.5 tonnes flame-shaped bronze plated in 35 kg (1,125 troy ounces) of gold. The monument is one of the monuments built during the Sukarno era of fierce nationalism. It is open for public and upon request visitors can take a lift up to a platform with a good view of Medan Merdeka Park, Istiqlal Mosque and the city and also the sea, mostly rarely clear. Inside the base of the monument is an exhibition on the country's Declaration of Independence and several dioramas showing the history of Indonesia.And now the entire environs of Monas has a completely new look, following a facelift during which the 100-hectare Monas Park was fenced in to allow only pedestrian traffic as well as horse-drawn Andong carriages as part of the Jakarta administration’s drive to protect the green areas of the city. In addition, five hectares of Monas Park have been set aside as a protected habitat for deer, opened by President Megawati Soekarnoputri on June 5, 2003, World Environment Day.
Address: Jalan Medan Merdeka
Directions: Silang Monas (Koningsplein), Jalan Medan Merdeka, close to Gambir railway station at Jakarta central.
Facilities: Jogging track, recreational park, and fountain water pool
