JAM GADANG IN BUKITTINGGI

Jam Gadang (“Jam” mean Clock, and “Gadang” mean “Massive” in the Minangkabau language) is a clock tower situated in the heart of Bukittinggi, West Sumatra, Indonesia. How phenomenal of Jam Gadang for domestic and foreign tourists, making it is as a landmark of Bukittinggi and also be one of  West Sumatra icons.

Jam Gadang was built in 1926 by architects Yazid Sutan Dental Ameh. This clock was a gift from the Dutch Queen to Rook Maker- the Bukittinggi Controleur. Jam Gadang built without iron supports and mortar, but with a mixture of lime, egg whites, and white sand. The clock’s diameter is 80 centimeters, the base’s dimension is 13 metres in length and 4 meters wide, and it stands 26 meters tall.

The  clocktower has undergone several changes in the form at the top. During the Dutch colonial period, the heyday of Jam Gadang installed with rooster statue. However, when the Dutch were defeated and change by Japanese colonialists, the top replaced with pagoda. Furthermore when Indonesian independence period, the top of Jam Gadang replaced with traditional Bagonjong roof – Minangkabau traditional house.

Construction of Jam Gadang spend cost of 3,000 Guilder. One unique feature of Jam Gadang is that it uses the “IIII” for the number 4 instead of its traditional Roman Number “IV”.