Jam Gadang, Clock tower monument in Bukittinggi, Indonesia.
Jam Gadang is a clock tower in Guguak Panjang, Bukittinggi, Indonesia. The structure features four levels with large clock faces on each side and rises in the center of a public park.
The Dutch built the tower in 1926 during colonial times as a gift from Queen Wilhelmina. After Indonesian independence, the European roof was replaced with a Minangkabau design to reflect regional architecture.
The name literally means big clock and locals commonly use it as a meeting point in everyday life. The upper section displays traditional Minangkabau curved roof shapes that resemble buffalo horns, replacing the original Dutch design after independence.
The tower stands in Sabai Nan Aluih Park and marks the city center. The mechanical clockwork operates without electricity and can be viewed from all sides.
The builders used limestone, egg whites, and sand instead of metal or cement. This unusual binding material still gives the tower stability after almost a century.
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