Eternal Love Monument of Habibie-Ainun

Updated April 16, 2024

## Eternal Love Monument of Habibie–Ainun (Parepare): What to Know Before You Go

In the center of Parepare, South Sulawesi, you’ll find a monument dedicated to one of Indonesia’s most widely known modern love stories: Bacharuddin Jusuf Habibie (Indonesia’s 3rd president) and his wife, Hasri Ainun Besari. Locally promoted as an icon of the city, this site is designed for quick visits—easy to reach, visually striking, and best experienced as part of a broader walk around Lapangan Andi Makkasau.

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## Quick facts (for trip planning)

– Official/local name used in sources: Monumen Cinta Sejati Habibie Ainun (often translated as “Monument of True Love”)
– Location: Lapangan Andi Makkasau (Alun-Alun Kota), Parepare, South Sulawesi, Indonesia
– Coordinates (published): approx. 4°00′14″S 119°37′12″E
– Opening date (published): 12 May 2015, inaugurated on the couple’s 53rd wedding anniversary Travel
– Height (published): 5.82 m
– Setting: placed in a circular water pool, with fountains/water streams described in tourism sources Travel
– Rating: 4.6/5 (as provided in your listing; note that map ratings change over time)

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## Why this monument matters in Parepare

Parepare’s tourism office explicitly frames the monument as an icon of the city, inspired by Habibie’s relationship with Ainun. That local positioning matters: this isn’t a random photo stop. It’s a civic symbol—built to link the city’s identity to a national figure and a story many Indonesians recognize.

Indonesia’s national tourism site also highlights the monument as a notable point of interest in Parepare and emphasizes the commemorative purpose: honoring Habibie and Ainun, with the fountain setting called out as part of the experience. Travel

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## What you’ll actually see on-site

### The statue and its layout
The core feature is a statue of Habibie and Ainun positioned within a circular pool. Wikipedia’s summary includes the statue’s approximate dimensions and the overall height of the monument (5.82 m).

Tourism descriptions repeatedly emphasize water/fountains around the monument, which is why photos often show vertical jets framing the figures. Travel

### The “public-square” vibe
Because it’s located at Lapangan Andi Makkasau, it functions like a landmark inside a shared civic space rather than a standalone attraction. Expect an environment shaped by whatever else is happening in the square that day—walkers, families, community events—rather than a curated museum-style visit.

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## Best time to visit (practical, not poetic)

You don’t need a long window here; most visits are short. If your goal is photography, the biggest variable is the water feature and the contrast it creates against the statue.

– For clearer photos: prioritize times with steadier light (late afternoon often helps with harsh glare on reflective surfaces).
– For a quieter feel: aim for off-peak hours when the square is less active.
– If you’re sensitive to crowds/noise: remember this is a public gathering area, so it can get busy depending on local routines and events.

(I’m not claiming specific fountain operating schedules because I didn’t find an official source that reliably publishes hours for the water feature.)

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## How to fit it into a Parepare day

Because the monument is a quick stop, it works best as:
– A short landmark visit between other errands or sights in central Parepare
– A starting point for exploring the city center on foot
– A “meaning” stop if you’re interested in modern Indonesian history and public memorials

The national tourism page that mentions it places it among several Parepare points of interest, which supports the “pair it with other stops” approach. Travel

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## On-the-ground etiquette (inclusive and respectful)

This monument is dedicated to real people and a story many view with sincere admiration. A few basics go a long way:
– Keep voices and behavior respectful near the monument, especially if others are taking photos or visiting for personal reasons.
– Be mindful of families and children in the square—avoid blocking walkways or gathering spots.
– Avoid climbing or sitting on the monument structure (common sense for preservation and respect, even when barriers aren’t obvious).

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## “Internal links” (contextual placeholders you can wire up on RealJourneyTravels.com)

Because I don’t have your site’s live URL structure or existing pages, I’m giving anchor-text suggestions you can link to whichever internal URLs already exist:

– Things to do in Parepare (link to your Parepare hub/category page)
– South Sulawesi travel guide (link to your regional Indonesia hub page)

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## Accuracy & “outdated data” flags

– Map ratings (like the 4.6/5 you provided) are dynamic and can shift as new reviews come in.
– Wikipedia lists completion/opening details and cost tied to 2015-era references; those historical figures may be accurate but are still worth cross-checking against local government records if you’re publishing them prominently.
– The most reliable “evergreen” facts for publishing are the location at Lapangan Andi Makkasau, the commemorative purpose, and the 2015 inauguration framing, which are consistent across official tourism sources.

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