Jam Gadang - The Big Clock in West, Sumatera Indonesia

Jam Gadang - The Big Clock in West, Sumatera Indonesia - The poweful clock is almost in century. This is the gift from the Dutch Queen located at the town's center point. This is the most wanted places for tourist to see how well "the big clock" appear until now as a witnes of Indonesia organic evidence for independence movement. Jam gadang is the name of the clock tower that located at center point of Bukittinggi, West Sumatera Indonesia. Why is Jam Gadang?. Because the local people say it Minangkabau language that reflected to the big clock.

As the center the crowd for tourist and a tourist attractions, local Goverment to expand the grounds around the clock tower. Looks great for all of people to interact and more spaces during weekends or public holidays. Sometimes the event usually held on this venue.

Infrastructure of Jam Gadang

The basic floor plans of roughly 13 x 4 meters. The inside of the clock tower as high as 26 meters that consist of some levels, top of the clock for the pendulum. In 2007 due to earthquake the pendulum had broken need to replace.

There are four clocks each of side with a diameter 80 cm. All clocks were drawn directly from Netherlands through Rotterdam. The mechanical engeneering made 2 units only in the world, Big Ben in London and Jam Gadang itself. The clock machines located at one level below the top. For the clock's bell was made by Vortman, Relinghausen. It's means Vortman was last name of the clockmaker, Berhart Vortman, and last name of Reclinghausen was the town of the clock came from. The production was 1892. 

Jam Gadang was build without buffering of iron and cement. In that time perfect alloy from white egg and white sand.

History of Jam Gadang

The infrastructure to make of Jam Gadang was completed in 1926. This is the gift from Dutch Queen Rook Maker, as a Secretary or Contoleur of Fort de Kock (present as the city of Bukittinggi) during the Netherland East Indies era. The architecture was designed by Yazid Rajo Mangkuto, the first laying of the stone was done by the first son of Rook Maker which at that time was 6 years old.

The total cost about 3,000 Guilder. In that time which cost belongs to fantastic size to make the huge big clock. So, since all completed done, the clock tower become the center of everybody's attention for local and around the world. As the result, Jam Gadang to serve as a landmark and also zero point of the Bukittinggi.

Until now, Jam Gadang was overhaul of the structure of building such as the roof shapes. During the Netherland Indies Era, the roof of Jam Gadang was sperical with a roostes statues facing across eastward. In Japan Era was transformed of pagoda shapes. After the time of Indonesia Independence, the roof converted to custome home of Minangkabau. It is called Gonjong.

The last renovation of Jam Gadang's infrastructure was done in 2010, in that time the cooperation actions by the Heritage Preservation Agency of Indonesia (BPPI) and the Netherlands Embassy in Jakarta. Also the Goverment of Bukittinggi. The renovations was unveiled of the anniversary of 262 years old to Bukittinggi on December 22, 2010.

Things to do around Jam Gadang.

You can walking around to see local people to serve snacks and enjoy the evening around there. To capture usually in the morning or afternoon before evening. Avoid weekend because too many people around here. No charge fee for entering the park, if you need to see the top of the clock just ask the person in charge around the Jam Gadang office.


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Source : Wikipedia and others.