Jam Gadang
Encyclopedia
Jam Gadang is a clocktower and major landmark
of the city of Bukit Tinggi
, West Sumatra
, Indonesia
. It is located in the centre of the city, near the main market, Pasar Atas, and is a tourist attraction.
colonial era, as a gift from the Queen to city's controleur. It was designed by architects Yazin and Sutan Gigi Ameh. Originally a rooster
figure was placed on the apex, but it was changed into a Jinja
-like ornament during the Japanese occupation of Indonesia
. Following Indonesian independence
, it was reshaped to its present form resembling traditional Minangkabaun roofs (see Rumah gadang
). It is said to have cost 3,000 Guilder
.
One unique feature of the clock is that it uses "IIII" for the number 4 instead of the traditional Roman number
"IV". Based on a local story, the figure four made of four vertical lines represents the four persons who died while constructing the building.
The laying of the Jam Gadang cornerstone
was done by the 6-year-old son of Rook Maker, the city secretary of Bukittinggi
at the time.
Its plaza usually serves as the centre of New Year celebration in Bukittinggi
for thousands of visitors to the city.
Landmark
This is a list of landmarks around the world.Landmarks may be split into two categories - natural phenomena and man-made features, like buildings, bridges, statues, public squares and so forth...
of the city of Bukit Tinggi
Bukittinggi
Bukittinggi is one of the larger cities in West Sumatra, Indonesia, with a population of over 91,000 people and an area of 25.24 km². It is situated in the Minangkabau highlands, 90 km by road from the West Sumatran capital city of Padang. It is located at , near the volcanoes Mount...
, West Sumatra
West Sumatra
West Sumatra is a province of Indonesia. It lies on the west coast of the island Sumatra. It borders the provinces of North Sumatra to the north, Riau and Jambi to the east, and Bengkulu to the southeast. It includes the Mentawai Islands off the coast...
, Indonesia
Indonesia
Indonesia , officially the Republic of Indonesia , is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania. Indonesia is an archipelago comprising approximately 13,000 islands. It has 33 provinces with over 238 million people, and is the world's fourth most populous country. Indonesia is a republic, with an...
. It is located in the centre of the city, near the main market, Pasar Atas, and is a tourist attraction.
History
The structure was built in 1926 during the DutchNetherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
colonial era, as a gift from the Queen to city's controleur. It was designed by architects Yazin and Sutan Gigi Ameh. Originally a rooster
Rooster
A rooster, also known as a cockerel, cock or chanticleer, is a male chicken with the female being called a hen. Immature male chickens of less than a year's age are called cockerels...
figure was placed on the apex, but it was changed into a Jinja
Jinja (Shinto)
A Shinto shrine is a structure whose main purpose is to house one or more Shinto kami....
-like ornament during the Japanese occupation of Indonesia
Japanese Occupation of Indonesia
The Japanese Empire occupied Indonesia, known then as the Dutch East Indies, during World War II from March 1942 until after the end of War in 1945...
. Following Indonesian independence
Indonesian National Revolution
The Indonesian National Revolution or Indonesian War of Independence was an armed conflict and diplomatic struggle between Indonesia and the Dutch Empire, and an internal social revolution...
, it was reshaped to its present form resembling traditional Minangkabaun roofs (see Rumah gadang
Rumah Gadang
Rumah gadang - or more correctly called by Minangkabau people rumah bagonjong - are the traditional homes of the Minangkabau. The architecture, construction, internal and external decoration, and the functions of the house reflect the culture and values of the Minangkabau...
). It is said to have cost 3,000 Guilder
Guilder
Guilder is the English translation of the Dutch gulden — from Old Dutch for 'golden'. The guilder originated as a gold coin but has been a common name for a silver or base metal coin for some centuries...
.
Clock structure
Each clock face has a diameter of 80 centimeters. Its base is 13 metres long and 4 metres wide, and it stands 26 metres tall.One unique feature of the clock is that it uses "IIII" for the number 4 instead of the traditional Roman number
Roman numerals
The numeral system of ancient Rome, or Roman numerals, uses combinations of letters from the Latin alphabet to signify values. The numbers 1 to 10 can be expressed in Roman numerals as:...
"IV". Based on a local story, the figure four made of four vertical lines represents the four persons who died while constructing the building.
The laying of the Jam Gadang cornerstone
Cornerstone
The cornerstone concept is derived from the first stone set in the construction of a masonry foundation, important since all other stones will be set in reference to this stone, thus determining the position of the entire structure.Over time a cornerstone became a ceremonial masonry stone, or...
was done by the 6-year-old son of Rook Maker, the city secretary of Bukittinggi
Bukittinggi
Bukittinggi is one of the larger cities in West Sumatra, Indonesia, with a population of over 91,000 people and an area of 25.24 km². It is situated in the Minangkabau highlands, 90 km by road from the West Sumatran capital city of Padang. It is located at , near the volcanoes Mount...
at the time.
Tourism
Given its iconic appearance, the structure is a frequent object of local souvenirs. It is printed on apparel, painted, used as a sculpting model, and so forth. As of January 2008, it cost 50,000 rupiahs (around US $5) to enter the tower.Its plaza usually serves as the centre of New Year celebration in Bukittinggi
Bukittinggi
Bukittinggi is one of the larger cities in West Sumatra, Indonesia, with a population of over 91,000 people and an area of 25.24 km². It is situated in the Minangkabau highlands, 90 km by road from the West Sumatran capital city of Padang. It is located at , near the volcanoes Mount...
for thousands of visitors to the city.