National monument

Monumen Nasional in Jakarta, Indonesia, built to commemorate the Indonesian struggle for independence

A National monument is a monument constructed in order to commemorate something of national importance such as a war or the country's founding. The term may also refer to a specific monument status, such as a national heritage site, which most national monuments are by reason of their cultural importance rather than age. The National monument aims to represent the nation, and serve as a focus for national identity.

Overview

A series of structures or areas deemed to be of national importance and therefore afforded protection by the state are part of a country's cultural heritage. These national heritage sites are often called something different per country and are listed by national conservation societies. Romania has listed at least one plant as a national monument, Nymphaea lotus f. thermalis.

Examples include:

• Jatiyo Smriti Soudho (National Martyr's Memorial), Bangladesh
• The National Monument (Indonesia)
• National Monuments of Colombia
• National monuments of Ireland
• The Pakistan Monument (Islamabad)
• The National Monument (Malaysia)
• The Netherlands National Monument (Amsterdam)
• National monuments of Portugal
• The National Monument of Scotland (Edinburgh)
• National monuments of Singapore
• National monuments of Spain
• National monuments of the United States

See also

• National heritage sites of South Africa
• National icon
• National memorial