Outer Yard
An underground tunnel, from across the northern side of Monas, serves as the only entrance inside the monument. Unfortunately, the ceramic flooring and walls nowadays have a number of leakages, which has caused some abrasion on the walls and may render the floor slippery.
Emerging from the tunnel, more persuasive vendors line the exit, selling a variety of snacks and Monas-themed souvenirs. After climbing out of the tunnel, reliefs of Indonesian History border the four corners of the garden outside the monument. Carved in gray stones, the relief highlights the grand and colorful past of Indonesia including the ancient Majapahit and Sri Vijayan empires. A grand staircase leads to the base of the monument.
In the northern entrance, a wall covered in frames of manuscripts and several trophies show some basic information about the monument, as well as a note from President Sukarno regarding his purpose of building the monument.
National History Museum
Situated at the base of the monument, The Indonesia National History Museum has a height of 8 meters and a width of 6400 square meters and can accommodate 500 people. The museum, whose walls, floor and pillars are layered with marble, is famous for its dioramas - three-dimensional full-size or miniature models of scenes of Indonesia’s historical events enclosed in glass displays. From Prehistoric Indonesia to 20th century occurrences such as the Japanese Occupation and the struggle for the nation’s independence, the 51 dioramas show it all.
Hall of Independence
The Hall of Independence, or Ruang Kemerdekaan, is accessed through a spiral staircase at the north and south doors of the monument. This hall, which is situated inside the goblet or cawan part of Monas, contains a variety of Indonesia’s symbols of Independence.
Northern Wall
Coated in gold on the northern side of the hall is a map of the Indonesian archipelago.
Southern Wall
A massive statue of the gold-coated Garuda Pancasila, the national emblem of Indonesia occupies the southern wall. It weights 3.5 tonnes.
Eastern Wall
The bronze lettering of the text of Proclamation is fixed on the eastern wall. The Sang Saka Merah Putih, the revered Indonesian flag that was raised on the 17th of August 1945, is no longer exhibited on the eastern wall due to its fragility and old age.
Western Wall
The original manuscript of the Proclamation of Independence is kept in a glass case behind mechanized bronze doors on the western wall, which, when opened, would be accompanied by the nationalist Bagimu Negeri song and a recording of Sukarno reading the text of Proclamation. The four-ton doors, known as Gerbang Kemerdekaan (the Gate of Independence) are located on the western wall and engraved with the image of the Wijaya Kusuma flower, which symbolizes eternity and purity, and coated with gold. The flower, also known as the Queen of the Night, only blooms at midnight. In the olden days, it is believed that kings must pluck this flower while it is in full bloom before getting crowned.
Goblet & Obelisk
On top of the base is the middle platform, which is easily accessible using the stairs from below or the elevator from the viewing platform. The platform is elevated 17 meters above and offers a 360˚ view of the Merdeka Square and a number of skyscrapers located nearby. The 117.7 meter tall obelisk is covered in Italian marble covers and also works as an elevator shaft.
Viewing Platform & Flame of Independence
Using an elevator, which runs along the height of the monument, visitors are able to view the entire city from an altitude of 115 meters. The observation deck rests just 17 meters under the Flame of Independence and has room for about 50 visitors at a time. The elevator can only carry around 11 people, and a staircase is available in case of emergencies.
On top of the Monas is the 14.5 ton bronze Flame of Independence. It is 14 meters high and 6 meters in diameter and contains the lift’s engines. The flame rests on a goblet 3 meter high. The 77 parts of the flame was initially plated with 35 kg of gold, but it was recoated with 50 kg of gold in the 50th Indonesian Independence Day celebration in 1995.The funds for the second coat were donated by several Indonesian businessmen.
