The National Monument or popularly abbreviated to Monas or Monas Monument is a 132 meters (433 feet) memorial monument established to commemorate the resistance and struggle of the Indonesian people to seize independence from the Dutch East Indies colonial government. The construction of this monument began on 17 August 1961 under the orders of President Sukarno, and was opened to the public on 12 July 1975. The monument was crowned with a gold-plated flame symbolizing the spirit of a fiery struggle. The National Monument is located right in the middle of Lapangan Merdeka Square, Central Jakarta. Monument and museum is open every day starting at 08.00 - 15.00 WIB. On Monday the last weekend of each month is closed to the public.
