The equator monument was built to mark the zero point of the equator line crossing over Pontianak City. Historically, it was built by the Dutch geographer in 1928 to mark the imaginary line of equator. Formerly, the monument was just a simple obelisk on which a metallic arrow. Silaban, an Indonesian architect, refurbished the obelisk in 1938 by adding a circle above it. Finally, in 1990, the local government decided to preserve this great monument by building a dome with a duplicate of former obelisk above it.
Equator Monument on Khatulistiwa Street, Siantan Village, North Pontianak Sub-district, Pontianak City In the location, you may see the former obelisk and its early history and all information relating to the monument as well. An information board about the statistic of visitors from either domestic or foreign countries is available for you who want to know such information. The unique of the monument is the material used. It was built of ulin wood, something that is rarely found on other monuments in the world.
Around March 21st 23rd and September 21 The monument is densely visited by Pontianak residents who come to see the shadowless sun. It is the time when everything on the location around the zero point has no shadow for approximately 5 to 10 minutes. Some events including traditional ceremony and painting exhibition are celebrated during these phenomena are occurred.
Source from www.pontianaktravelguide.info, forum.detik.com
