Jam Gadang "markah tanah" Bukittinggi

"Jam Gadang" is the designation for a tower clock located in the central city of Bukittinggi, Sumatera Barat (West Sumatra) province, because it has a clock tower that "gadang" or "large" in the Minangkabau language. Since its inception, the Clock Tower has become the center of attention, so be a landmarks or "markah tanah" of Bukittinggi, and as one of the icons of Sumatera Barat province.

"Jam Gadang" was built in 1926 by architect Yazid Sutan Gigi Ameh. This clock is a gift from the Dutch Queen to Rook Maker, Controleur (City Secretary) Bukittinggi in the Dutch East Indies occupied Government. Laying the first stone at this do Rook Maker's first son who was then aged 6 years. Ground-plan (building footprint following the steps overlooking the Upper Market) is 13x4 meters, 26 meters high. "Jam Gadang" is engaged in mechanical, consisting of four face facing the four directions of the compass, each with a diameter of 80 cm.

This clock tower has undergone several changes in shape at the peak. At first, the peak of this clock tower is round, on top of it stands a statue of a rooster. In the Japanese occupation government, the top of the tower was transformed into pagoda. At the time of independence, the shape changed again into ornaments Minangkabau traditional house.

Development of "Jam Gadang" spend a total cost of construction of about 3,000 Gulden, fantastic charges pertained at the time. There is a uniqueness of Roman numbers on the "Jam Gadang" is. Generally the writing of the roman number 4 is "IV", but on "Jam Gadang" four roman numbers with the symbol "IIII".