Ringing Conthong is an old water tower monument which was built in 1929 by Netherlands East-Indies administration in Jombang East Java. This water tower has a unique architecture looking like a cone which was why people called it "conthong", a javanese word for "cone". Meanwhile for Ringin is a javanese word which means "Beringin" in Bahasa and " fig" in English. This place has two massive fig guarding the tower. Ringin Conthong is located in an intersection connecting business area and government area. In present time, this water tower is the landmark of the city which symbolize mutual cooperation and harmony.Much like any other places in Indonesia, this place has a folklore in it.
There is only a very little entry about this place. Recently the government tried to renovate the place by adding huge word sign in hope that people could stop by and take picture in the area. But I don't think this place is scenic enough during the day. It only looks scenic during the night especially from aerial view.
There are plenty tourism sites in this city but the ones that are really good are located outskirt the city. I am still trying to find ways to arrange a trip to those location and see if those are open for public now. I also want to do historical journey to one of the greatest empire in Indonesia called Majapahit.
That is the view from behind the monument. For an outsider, it's just regular monument that is commonly found in each cities across Indonesia. These kind of monument also serves as a marker to distinguish between one place to another. But the history of this monument is something worth exploring especially that it can stand still since the moment it was built until present day.
~ Mac
