National Monument or the popular abbreviated or Monas National Monument is a monument as high as 132 meters (433 feet) which was established in memory of resistance and struggle of the people of Indonesia for independence from the colonial Dutch East Indies. Construction of this monument began on August 17, 1961 under the orders of President Sukarno, and was opened to the public on July 12, 1975. The monument is crowned with flames of gold coated sheet which symbolizes the spirit of struggle burning. The National Monument is located right in the center of Medan Merdeka Square, Central Jakarta. Monument and the museum is open every day starting at 08:00 to 15:00 West Indonesia Time. On Monday last week of the month is closed to the public.
