Monumen Nasional
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The Monumen Nasional (or Tugu Monas, the National Monument tower) is a 450 ft (137 m) tall tower in Central Jakarta, symbolizing the fight for Indonesia's Independence. Its construction began in 1961 under Sukarno and was not finished until 1975 under Suharto. It is topped by a 14.5 tonnes flame-shaped bronze plated in 35 kg (1,125 troy ounces) of gold.
Visitors can take a lift up to a platform with a good view of Medan Merdeka Park, Istiqlal Mosque and the city, if it is not too foggy. Inside the base of the monument is an exhibition on the country's Declaration of Independence and several dioramas showing the history of Indonesia.
[edit] Monument Design
The design of the monument is meant to combine elements of masculinity and feminism. The phallic shaft slowly grows as it comes toward the ground and is engulfed in a base meant to symbolize fertility. It is also made of concrete.[citation needed]
