National Monument
We visited the National Monument which is located at
Jalan Parlimen, Kuala Lumpur.
Jalan Parlimen, Kuala Lumpur.
It was opened on February 8, 1966 The National Monument (Tugu Negara) is one of the world's largest bronze statues. It was built to honour the memory of fallen soldiers during the wars fought by Malaysia.
The National Monument is surrounded by a fountain and was the brainchild of Tunku Abdul Rahman, the country's first Prime Minister. On July 31 each year, Malaysia celebrates Hari Pahlawan, or Warriors' Day, in which the Prime Minister and highest officials from the police and army will come lay wreaths at the foot of the monument.
The National Monument is surrounded by a fountain and was the brainchild of Tunku Abdul Rahman, the country's first Prime Minister. On July 31 each year, Malaysia celebrates Hari Pahlawan, or Warriors' Day, in which the Prime Minister and highest officials from the police and army will come lay wreaths at the foot of the monument.
The monument is 15 meters ( 49.21 feet) tall, made of bronze and was designed by Austrian sculptor Felix De Weldon who was also responsible for the famed USMC War Memorial in Virginia, United States.
The granite base of the monument bears only inscriptions in English with Roman Script and Malay with Jawi Script: - "Dedicated to the heroic fighters in the cause of peace and freedom,
- May the blessing of Allah be upon them"
The 48,562 square metres area where the monument is located has 5 main components. They are the monument, the war memorial, the pavillion, the fountains and the surrounding gardens.
the cenotaphThe original national monument was not the one in the form of human figures but was a cenotaph that was situated in the middle of a roundabout.
On the monument, it is written “To Our Glorious Dead with dates of the First World War (1914-1918), Second World War (1939-1945) and the Emergency (1948-1960).
Parlimen Malaysia (far view)The Malaysian Houses of Parliament can be viewed from the garden at the National Monument. It is located at the Perdana Lake Garden next to the National monument.
Petronas twin towers and Kuala Lumpur Tower (far view)The Petronas Twin Towers (Menara Berkembar Petronas) can also be viewed from here. They were the world's tallest buildings before being surpassed by Taipei 101.
The Kuala Lumpur Tower (Menara Kuala Lumpur) is a tall tower which was built in 1995. It is used for communication purposes and features an antenna that reaches 421 m (1,381 ft) which currently makes it the fifth tallest freestanding tower in the world.
The children enjoyed themselves very much. It was a very educational trip.
Beautiful pictures but my favorite is the one of the kids with the oldest with his arms around the younger. Sweet.That carrot cake looks delicious too!
ReplyDeleteKids looks happy ya.
ReplyDeleteToo bad that time went KL, didn't manage to go up the Petronas Twin Towers...
ReplyDeleteI visited the National Monument a couple of months ago this year.
ReplyDeleteThe only other time I visited was when I was a child.
That is very interesting. My family and I will one day come to see Malaysia. Hope we can take time to see this monument. Thanks for the visit and must apologize for this late reply. Been away.
ReplyDeletefor all my life till now, never been there before.. :)
ReplyDeleteI visited our Tugu Negara earlier this year. :)
ReplyDeleteIt's been really a long long time since I visited Tugu Negara and for the first time.
ReplyDeleteThe last time I went to Tugu Negara was.....wheh ah...29 years ago....kakaka
ReplyDeleteThe only time I went to Tugu Negara when I was in secondary school.
ReplyDeleteBTW, your carrot cake looks yummy. :)
ReplyDeleteThats a great monument wenn :)
ReplyDeleteWonderful pictures of the great landmarks in Malaysia. Your children are beautiful, thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThe monuments are very moving. I was suddenly struck with sadness in thinking about all the wars in just the 20th century.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing the lovely grounds. The children are precious.
It's good to know that some of us have not forgotten the important parts of what formed Malaysia.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting Wenn. I was in Malaysia last July 2009. I visited this place. had pictures on the same spots, especially in front of the granite monument. Teehee. We have enjoyed Malaysia! Love it a lot!
ReplyDeletebeautiful pictures, i should visit malaysia sometime, the last time i was there was 20 years ago, am sure it was a lot more different.
ReplyDeleteNice pictures but my fav are the ones of the cute kids!
ReplyDeletehahahha the way ur kids lined up was like DO RE MI.....cute cute children you have...:)
ReplyDeleteI remember, as I student, my school organized a trip to KL. The National Monument was one of our destinations. Since then I never go there again, even though now I live in Klang Valley.
ReplyDeleteIt looks like the monument is only for kids?
Always saw this monument in books and TV when I was a kid. But until today still don't have a chance to visit there. I never know the monument is so big...
ReplyDeletehappy children...
ReplyDeletei quite a long time never go those places.
i think most of people forget about the meaning of the national monument. :(
Oh this brings back my childhood memory too!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the tour.
ReplyDeletehmm i never been to Tugu Negara before :P So much for being a malaysian :P.
ReplyDeleteshame on me, never visited there before
ReplyDeleteI've only visited the tugu negara only once, and the Petronas tower once too. Will be visiting KL this December again...
ReplyDeletegood info
ReplyDeleteThanks for the historical info on the National Monument. I have not visited it since when I was a child! Haha!
ReplyDeletei haven't visited the monument in ages. thanks for the info.
ReplyDeleteIt is the largest bronze statue in the world? I didn't know that. :p
ReplyDeleteI have been there when I was 12 years old. Thanks for sharing Wenn.
This is childhood / teenager's memory when last visit Tugu Negara :D
ReplyDeleteI never been here. Let alone I realize the existence of the original monument
ReplyDeleteNice trip you have there!
ReplyDeleteWenn: What a neat trip to share with the children and to have that history given.
ReplyDeletei've only been there once..
ReplyDeletereminds me of the NST tv ad promoting good english - about a group of malay school boys in a bus who couldn't understand what national monument is when asked for directions by a tourist. very funny ad, that one.
ReplyDeletewhat a good side trip for the kids, also educational
ReplyDeleteVery interesting trip and wonderful images, Wenn.
ReplyDeleteya..fun place for children..
ReplyDeleteWow...oh dear...now I am reminded...I haven't been there since 1972!! All my children were born after 1974...See if I can go there this trip.
ReplyDeletethanks for the photos.
Interesting photos.
ReplyDelete