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 of the declaration of independence and several dioramas showing the history of Indonesia.
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