The Design Story

Balinese sculptor I Wayan Winten designed the monument, which originally featured nine human-form statues arranged around the base representing the traditional occupations of Sidoarjo — farmers, fishermen, and traders. These sparked controversy among conservative Islamic groups who considered human statues inappropriate in a space directly across from the Sidoarjo Great Mosque. The human figures were eventually removed and replaced with additional shrimp and milkfish motifs encircling the column, leaving the monument's identity firmly rooted in the marine bounty that defines the region.↗↗↗

Visiting the Monument and Alun-Alun

The Jayandaru Monument is set within the Alun-Alun Sidoarjo, a landscaped city square that functions as the regency's living room. The park around it is equipped with children's play equipment, benches, gazebos, shade trees, and exercise areas, making it easy to combine a look at the monument with a relaxed afternoon. Admission is free and the site is open 24 hours, so there's no pressure of closing time. On Sunday mornings the surrounding roads become a car-free zone, and the area fills with families walking, cycling, and exercising without vehicles.↗↗↗

Evening is when the monument comes alive most dramatically. Decorative lights illuminate both the sculptures and the surrounding gardens, turning the square into a luminous focal point that attracts young people to gather, chat, and take photos against the glowing shrimp-and-fish backdrop. The local government's tourism office regularly stages events here too — the 2024 Jayandaru Parade Selera Rasa food festival lined the monument's perimeter with stalls selling regional specialties like lontong kikil, pecel, and klepon, drawing thousands of visitors.↗↗

Practical Information

Location: Jl. Jenggolo No. 21, Sidokumpul, Kec. Sidoarjo, Kabupaten Sidoarjo, Jawa Timur 61212. The monument sits on the main highway between Surabaya and Malang, making it easy to spot from passing vehicles.↗

Hours: Open 24 hours daily. Admission: Free. Parking: Paid parking available nearby. Family-friendly: The adjacent park facilities are suitable for children. Best time: Evening after sunset for the illuminated atmosphere; Sunday morning for the car-free square.↗↗↗