12 Indonesia Most Iconic Landmarks

Indonesia has many iconic buildings and monuments that have become popular landmarks in various regions of Indonesia. They are not just an identity, moreover those have turned out into interesting tourist destinations. Below are 12 Indonesia most iconic landmarks.

 

 

1. Monumen Nasional (Monas) in Jakarta

 

national monument in jakarta

Credit: reddoorz.com

 

Popular with the name, Tugu Monas, this Indonesian landmark has long been an icon of pride for the Indonesian people. Has a height of 132 meters, this monument was initiated by the first president Ir. Soekarno to commemorate the resistance and struggle of the Indonesian people for independence.

 

The construction itself began on August 17, 1961 and opened to the public on July 12, 1975. Since then, this Indonesian landmark has become one of the identities of the capital city of Jakarta. The distinctive feature of this landmark is the layer of gold that forms the flames on the top of this majestic monument.

 

 

2. Jam Gadang in Bukittinggi

 

jam gadang monument in bukittinggi

Credit: hariansinggalang.co.id

Visiting this landmark in the City of Bukittinggi, you will be reminded of a very popular landmark in the City of London, which is the Big Ben. it is not surprisingly as there are only a few mechanical machines in the world that drive the Jam Gadang and one of them is in Big Ben tower, London.

 

This iconic Indonesian landmark itself was built in 1926 as a gift from the Queen of the Netherlands for the Rook Maker, the secretary of the Bukittinggi area formerly known as Fort de Kock.

 

 

3. Patung Ikan Sura dan Buaya in Surabaya

 

the Sura and Baya Fish Statue

Credit: innagroup.co.id

This statue that depicting the battle between Sura fish and the Crocodile is a very familiar icon of the city of Surabaya. There are so many legends and folk tales behind this Surabaya city mascot. Apart from that, the Sura and Baya Fish Statue is a very iconic and famous landmark in Indonesia.

 

 

4. Garuda Wisnu Kencana in Bali

 

the Garuda Wisnu Kencana statue is the tallest statue in Indonesia

Credit: phinemo.com

Inaugurated on September 22nd, 2018, the Garuda Wisnu Kencana statue is the tallest statue in Indonesia, even its height exceeds the height of the very famous Statue of Liberty in America.

 

Depicting Lord Vishnu riding Garuda bird, this famous statue in Indonesia is the work of the famous sculptor I Nyoman Nuarta. With a height of up to 120 meters, it’s no wonder that this statue was later transformed into one of the most famous landmarks of Bali.

 

 

5. Jembatan Ampera in Palembang

 

ampera bridge in palembang

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The name of Ampera Bridge has the meaning “Mandate of the Suffering People “, and has been established since 1965 with development funds taken from the spoils of Japan at that time.

 

Since its establishment, the bridge that stretches over the Musi River and connects Seberang Ulu area and Seberang Ilir area has become the proud landmark of Palembang people.

 

Now, this iconic bridge has also been decorated with lights that make its appearance even more beautiful and add a special attraction for visitors who stop by the capital city of South Sumatra Province.

 

 

6. Tugu Jogja in Yogyakarta

 

tugu jogja monument in yogyakarta

Credit: travelspromo.com

Located at the junction of Jalan Jenderal Sudirman and Jalan Margo Utomo, Tugu Yogyakarta or Tugu Jogja, has long been one of the popular icons of the city of Yogyakarta.

 

However, the iconic landmark that stands now is not the first monument to stand at this location. The monument that stands firmly today was built by the Dutch government after the previous monument called the Golong-Gilig Monument (built by Hamengkubuwana I) was collapsed due to the earthquake.

 

This monument was built as symbolic value and is a magical line connecting the southern sea, the Yogyakarta palace and the Mount Merapi.

 

 

7. Gedung Sate in Bandung

 

the most famous landmarks in Indonesia

Credit: sejarahlengkap.com

As the name implies, this popular landmark of Bandung is famous for the existence of a pole that has a shape like a satay at the top of its building. The iconic Gedung Sate has now functioned as an office and government center of West Java Province since 1980.

 

Built in 1920, this Bandung icon, during the reign of the Dutch East Indies had the name Gouvernements Bedrijven (GB) which was used as the center administration of the Dutch East Indies government in Bandung at that time and is now one of the most famous landmarks in Indonesia.

 

 

8. Candi Borobudur in Magelang

 

the iconic Borobudur Temple located in Magelang

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Another Indonesia Most Iconic Landmark is the Borobudur Temple located in Magelang. This temple is always crowded by tourists both from within and outside the country. Borobudur Temple is the largest Buddhist temple in the world which has hundreds of stupas, statues and reliefs that surrounding it. So, it’s no wonder that this temple complex has become a very popular Indonesian icon.

 

 

9. Candi Prambanan in Sleman

 

prambanan is hindu temple in yogyakarta

Credit: balistarisland.com

No less popular than Borobudur Temple, Indonesia still has another historic temple complexes that are very beautiful. It is the Prambanan Temple. This largest Hindu-patterned temple complex in Indonesia is also a landmark and a popular tourist destination in Indonesia.

 

 

10. Masjid Raya Baiturrahman in Aceh

 

the Baiturrahman Grand Mosque in Aceh

Credit: ulvirahma.com

The next most iconic landmark from Indonesia is in Aceh, the Baiturrahman Grand Mosque. Apart from being a place of worship, this building with a very enchanting beautiful architecture has a very long history. Being one of the oldest mosques in Indonesia, this iconic mosque was built during the reign of Sultan Iskandar Muda Mahkota Alam in 1612 AD.

 

 

11. Istana Maimun in Medan

 

the majestic Maimun Palace

Credit: ksmtour.com

Not only iconic, this next Indonesia iconic landmark has quite high historical value. Being an icon of the Medan City, the majestic Maimun Palace is the Sultanate of Deli palace initiated by Sultan Ma’mun Al Rasyid.

 

Built in 1888 to 1891, the uniqueness of this popular landmark in Medan is not only its history but also its architectural style that combines elements of Malay cultural heritage, mixed with Islamic, Spanish, Indian, Dutch and Italian styles. Very interesting, isn’t it?

 

 

12. Patung Yesus Memberkati in Tana Toraja

 

Jesus Blessing iconic monument in tana toraja

Credit: telusurinusantara.com

Have you ever seen the iconic “Christ the Redeemer” statue in Rio de Janiero, Brazil? You can also find similar one that become the landmark of Tana Toraja, located precisely at the top of the Buntu Burake hill. Having 40 meters high and stand at the top of a hill, this iconic statue can be seen from every corner of Tana Toraja area.