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Tugu Pahlawan Heroes Monument

Tugu Pahlawan Heroes Monument

 
Across the street from the East Java governor's office is an open square that is now the site of Tugu Pahlawan, or heroes monument. The large open square has an obelisk in its center along with some small museum spaces dotted around it's edges. The monument is the site of grand celebrations every year on November 10th when the nation celebrates "Heroes Day."

The monument was originally the site of the Kenpetai Building, housing courts of the colonial justice ministry. During the war, the Japanese reportedly used it as a detention center where many locals were tortured. Our guide said the building was bombed by the Japanese towards the end of their occupation, but some resources suggest that the building was mobbed by a large group of local youth. The remains of the building's portico form the background for the heroes statue at the south side of the park.