The presence of statues at road intersections is not merely for decoration. During the leadership of Regent Markum Singodimedjo, the construction of roundabouts and statues at intersections aimed to beautify the city while improving traffic safety. In 1996, when not all major intersections were equipped with traffic lights, these roundabouts played a crucial role in regulating vehicle flow.
Initially, the roundabouts surrounding these statues were quite large in diameter. However, as traffic volume increased and traffic lights were installed, their size was reduced to what we see today.
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| Horse rider statue |
If you plan to visit Ponorogo, it would be beneficial to familiarize yourself with the statues at several key intersections to avoid confusion. Some of these statues include:
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The Horse Rider Statue – Located at the Pabrik Es intersection, this statue signifies that you have entered Ponorogo from the direction of Madiun. Heading straight south will take you to Ponorogo’s city center. Turning right leads to Magetan, the Alun-Alun Ponorogo (town square), Pacitan, or Wonogiri, while turning left will take you to Pasar Pon, Trenggalek, or the Ngebel and Pulung districts.
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The Adipura Statue – Situated at the Pasar Legi intersection, this statue depicts a knight holding the Adipura trophy. It was built after Ponorogo won multiple awards as an Adipura City. From here, heading straight south leads to HOS Cokroaminoto Street, which continues to the Ngepos intersection. Turning left takes you to Ahmad Dahlan Street, leading to the roundabout intersection.
Warok statue -
The Warok Statue at Ngepos Intersection – This statue portrays a bare-chested Warok figure standing proudly facing north. From the north, turning right will lead you to Alun-Alun Ponorogo, while turning left leads to the Tonatan intersection.
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The Bujang Ganong Statue at Tonatan Intersection – Positioned atop a roundabout, this statue faces east.
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The Warok Statue at Jeruksing Intersection – This statue features a bare-chested Warok facing north.
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The Warok Statue at the Roundabout of Sultan Agung Street – Unlike other Warok statues, this one is dressed in full attire and faces west.
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The Bujang Ganong Statue at Tambak Bayan Intersection – This statue stands facing north. If coming from the west (Wonogiri direction), turning right will lead to Alun-Alun Ponorogo, Pacitan, and Trenggalek. Meanwhile, turning left leads to the Keniten intersection, Magetan, the Pabrik Es intersection, and Madiun.
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Clock Monuments at Alun-Alun Selatan, Pasar Pon, and Keniten Intersections – These are not figurative statues, but they serve as important landmarks at these intersections.
Other Iconic Statues in Ponorogo
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| Lions, Dewi Songgo Langit and Klono Sewandono statues |
Besides statues at road intersections, there are many other statues that serve as icons of Ponorogo, such as:
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The Lion Statues at Alun-Alun Ponorogo – Placed at the four corners of the town square, these statues symbolize courage and strength.
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The Dewi Songgolangit and Klono Sewandono Statues – Located in front of the Ponorogo Regency government office complex, these statues depict a mythological story unique to Ponorogo.
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The Warok Statue on HOS Cokroaminoto Street – Standing beside SMP Negeri 1 Ponorogo.
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The Soldier Statue on Gajah Mada Street – Located east of BCA Bank, this statue portrays a soldier with a rifle as a symbol of struggle. It was built in 1962 during the leadership of Regent Raden Dasuki.
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The Lieutenant General Suprapto Sukowati Statue at Simpang Lima (Proliman) Keniten – This large and tall statue stands in the middle of a garden at the intersection.
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These statues not only enhance the city’s aesthetics but also serve as landmarks and cultural symbols of Ponorogo. They reflect the identity of the people and the city’s rich history, full of cultural values and struggles. Therefore, recognizing these statues can help with navigation and provide insights into the history and culture of Ponorogo.