The Simpang Lima Gumul Monument is one of the buildings that has become an icon of Kediri Regency which looks like the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, France. Sutrisno, the Regent of Kediri initiated the construction in 2003 and inaugurated it in 2008. The building is located in Tugurejo Village, Ngasem District, Kediri Regency, East Java Province. More precisely at the meeting center of the five roads that lead to various areas in Kediri.
In honor of the warriors who died in the French Revolution and the Napoleonic Wars, France built the Arc de Triomphe. However, it is not yet clear why and to respect the Simpang Lima Gumul Kediri Monument. Some sources say that the monument was built because it was inspired by Jongko Jojoboyo. The king of the 12th century the Kediri Kingdom wanted to unite the five regions in the Kediri Regency.
Apart from being a city icon, this monument is also the economic center and the Central Business District in Kediri Regency.
So the government expects Kediri’s economy to be more advanced. The Simpang Lima Gumul Monument is located in a strategic area. Meeting hall, multipurpose building, regional bank, intercity bus terminal and MPU (General Passenger Car), TuGu market (Saturday-Sunday), Gumul Paradise Island Water Park and SLG Green Park help complete various public facilities. Water Park Gumul Paradise Island and also SLG Green Park. In the SLG Green Park, there is a steam locomotive as a place to take selfies.
Physically, the Gumul Simpang Lima monument has a building area of 37 hectares.
Overall, the building area is 804 square meters and the height reaches 25 meters. Which consists of 6 floors, and is supported by 3 stairs as high as 3 meters from the ground floor. Figures for the area and height of the monument reflect the date, month, and year of the anniversary of the Kediri Regency. That is March 25 804 AD. The construction of this monument has cost more than IDR 300 billion.
On the sides of the monument are carved reliefs depicting the history of Kediri. Even to the arts and culture that exist today. In one corner of the monument, there is a statue of Ganesha. One of the many gods worshiped by Hindus. As the God of Knowledge and Intelligence, the God of Protector, the God of Repellents, and the God of Wisdom.
Inside the monument building, there are rooms for meetings. This building also has three underground access roads to get to the monument.
This monument area is never empty of visitors at night. Because around the monument, many street vendors are selling their wares. On Saturday and Sunday mornings, visitors also enliven this area. From jogging, recreation, and visitors to the Saturday-Sunday market at Tugu. The government has planned to build hotels, malls, shops in the Simpang Lima Gumul Monument area.