Jalesveva Jayamahe Monument

The Jalesveva Jayamahe Monument is a copper statue roughly 30 meters (about 100 feet) tall showing a navy officer in ceremonial uniform holding a sword, standing atop a roughly 30-meter (about 100-foot) base building near Tanjung Perak Port in Surabaya. The figure faces the harbor basin and doubles as a lighthouse, offering guidance to passing ships.

Admiral Muhammad Arifin of the Indonesian Navy began building this monument in 1990, and it was inaugurated on December 5, 1996. Its completion came during a period when Indonesia aimed to bring its maritime traditions more into public awareness.

The structure bears a Sanskrit name meaning roughly "Our Glory is at the Seas", words that nod to the centuries Indonesia has lived with and relied on ocean trade. Visitors often see school groups and families taking photos beneath the officer's gaze, a gesture that ties national pride to maritime memory.

The monument is open from morning until early afternoon, usually until around 3 PM, and visitors can explore the surroundings during daylight hours. Those wishing to climb should wear sturdy shoes and allow time for the ascent, as there are several floors to navigate.

Inside the base sits a gong named Kyai Tentrem, roughly 6 meters (about 20 feet) in diameter and weighing over 2 tons. This enormous gong is struck during special ceremonies, producing a deep sound that echoes across the harbor district.