National monument · Jakarta Pusat

National Monument (Monas)

Monumen Nasional

Jakarta's 132-metre independence obelisk, crowned with a gold-leaf flame, rising from the vast lawns of Merdeka Square.

Address: Merdeka Square (Lapangan Monas), Gambir
Price: Grounds free; summit Rp24k adults, museum Rp8k (2025)
Area: Gambir, Jakarta Pusat (Central)

About

Sukarno drove in the first pile on 17 August 1961 and Monas opened to the public on 12 July 1975. A lift on the south side runs to a viewing deck 115 metres up, while the base holds a history museum and the Freedom Room. The grounds are free to walk; tickets for the summit and museum are sold on site and paid with a JakCard.

132 m obelisk with gold flame
Viewing deck at 115 m
History museum in the base
Free park grounds

In history: 1961–1975 — Work starts on the National Monument

first-timers
families
views
landmark
monument
independence
free

Nearby

Train station

Stasiun Gambir

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Jakarta Pusat · 0.4 km Museum

National Museum of Indonesia

Indonesia's oldest museum, the Gedung Gajah on Merdeka Square, reopened in October 2024 after the 2023 fire.

Jakarta Pusat · 0.6 km●●○○National library

Perpustakaan Nasional Republik Indonesia

Indonesia's 24-storey national library on the south side of Medan Merdeka, open seven days a week with free Wi-Fi, power outlets and big reading rooms.

Jakarta Pusat · 0.7 kmMon–Fri 08:00–19:00, Sat–S…Ice cream parlour

Ragusa Es Italia

Jakarta's old-school Italian ice-cream parlour, open since 1932, famous for spaghetti ice cream and cassata siciliana.

Jakarta Pusat · 0.7 km●○○○Daily 10.00–21.00

Heritage listing. Hours and prices change — check before you go.