The obelisk called Monument Nasional, which no one calls anything but "Monas" for short, is the main symbol of Jakarta.
Monas is 132 metres high and offers an entrance to a viewpoint that offers a 360° view of the whole of Jakarta. It is located on the huge Merdeka Square in the geographical centre of Indonesia.
Independence Monument
Monas is built to commemorate the founding of the Republic of Indonesia and the difficult struggle for independence.
Construction of the obelisk began in 1961 and was inaugurated in 1975. It is a slender reinforced concrete structure crowned with a golden sculpture of a fiery flame, symbolizing the unquenchable spirit of the Indonesian nation.
Viewpoint - worth a visit?
The observation deck, at over 110 meters high, is one of the most popular places in Jakarta.
However, Jakarta's skyline is not among the most beautiful and is often shrouded in smog. Nice views would be in the dark, however as of 2023, extended opening hours on weekends have been cancelled and the lookout is not accessible in the dark.
In our opinion, it is not very worthwhile to visit the lookout.
Entrance fees and opening hours
Monas and the whole vast park is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 6am to 4pm.
The park and the monument remain closed on Mondays.
Ticket prices are as follows:
- 8 000 idr - Entrance to the museum and the ground floor of the monument.
- 24 000 idr - admission to the observation deck
Weekdays are certainly more convenient to visit; on weekends and public holidays, queues of more than an hour can form.
The park remains open 24/7
Unfortunately, the entire park in Merdeka Square in the broad vicinity of the National Monument has the same opening hours as Monas itself.
So the park always closes at 4pm and remains closed all day on Mondays.
Accommodation in the surrounding area
Monas stands in the geographical centre of Jakarta and so accommodation nearby can provide a strategic advantage when exploring the city.
Both hotels are located approximately 500 meters southwest of the Monas.
What to see around
Discover all the places to see in Jakarta.
