Jam Gadang is a landmark of the city of Bukittinggi and the province of West Sumatra in Indonesia. This typical West Sumatra symbol also has a story and uniqueness because of its decades. Jam Gadang was built in 1926 by architect Yazin and Sutan Gigi Ameh. The laying of the first stone of this hour was done by Rook Maker's first son who was 6 years old at the time. This hour is a gift from the Queen of the Netherlands to Controleur (City Secretary).

This typical symbol of Bukittinggi and West Sumatra has a story and uniqueness in the course of its history. This can be traced from the ornaments on the Clock Tower. During the Dutch colonial period, this clock ornament was round and on top of it stood a statue of a rooster.

During the Japanese occupation, clock ornaments turned into temples. Whereas in the period after independence, the shape of the ornament returned to the gonjong form of the Minangkabau traditional house.

The numbers at that hour are also unique. The number four on the Roman numerals is usually written with IV, but in the Clock Tower it is listed with IIII.

From the Jam Gadang, tourists can see a panoramic view of the city of Bukittinggi which consists of hills, valleys and lined buildings in the middle of the city which is a pity to miss.

When it was built the total cost reached 3,000 guilders with adjustments and renovations from time to time. During the Dutch era and the first time it was built a round roof and on top of it stood a statue of a rooster.

Whereas when the Japanese period changed again with the form of temples and when Indonesian Independence turned into a traditional Minangkabau house.

Every day hundreds of residents try at the location of Jam Gadang. Some of them are amateur photographers, some are selling balloons, even looking for auto loads (public vehicles) to be taken to other tourist locations in Bukittinggi.

To reach this location, tourists can use the land route. From the city of Padang to Bukittinggi, the trip can be reached for approximately 2 hours of travel using public transportation. After arriving in the city of Bukittinggi, the trip can be continued by using city transportation to the location of Jam Gadang.


At first glance, maybe there is no oddity in the 26 meter tall building. Especially if you pay attention to the shape, because the Clock Tower is only a round shape with a diameter of 80 centimeters, supported by basement a base measuring 13 x 4 meters, like a monument or monument. Because of the other clock sizes of this habit, it is very suitable as the Clock Tower which means big hours.

There is even nothing strange when looking at Roman numerals in Jam Gadang. But try to be more careful on the fourth Roman numeral. There seems to be something that seemed to deviate from the standard. It should, write four Roman numerals with symbol IV. But the Jam Gadang is actually made into a number one that is lined up four (IIII). Writing beyond the Roman numeral patron is still a mystery.

But uniquely, the peculiarity of writing these numbers actually makes the Jam Gadang more "challenging" and arousing a question mark every person who (incidentally) knows it and cares for it. Even more unique, sometimes the question arises whether this is an old and ancient patron or an error or or or that others. From a variety of information in the middle of the community, there are four odd numbers that interpret it as a pointer to the number of victims who become victimized during development. Or there is also a decree, four construction workers making the Jam Gadang construction died after the hour was finished. It makes sense too, because the clock is made of white cement mixed with egg white.

If it is examined if there is an error making an IV number, of course there is still the possibility of a row of mystery lists. But at least this seems to need to be ruled out.
As a clock gift from the Queen of the Netherlands to controleur (city secretary), and made an expert on the land of Uncle Sam America, the possibility of error is very small. But just let the mystery with various confidential.

But what should be known again, the Jam Gadang machine is believed to also only have two in the world. The twin is of course currently installed in Big Ben, England. The machine that works manually is by its maker, Forman (a famous nobleman) is named Brixlion.

Now back to four Roman numerals, is the making of the odd number four intentional by the maker, nor does anyone know. But it is also worth noting, that this Jam Gadang laying of the first stone was carried out by a six year old boy, son first Rook Maker who served the Dutch controleur at that time.

When still in the Dutch colonial period, the top of the Jam Gadang was mounted with a magnificent statue of a rooster. But when the Dutch lost and there were colonialist changes in Indonesia to Japan, the upper part was replaced with a form of pagoda. Furthermore, during the independence period, the upper part of the temple was lowered and replaced with a roof style along the Minangkabau traditional house. *