Monumen Kapal Selam, known locally as Monkasel, is a retired Russian-built submarine on the bank of the Kalimas River in Genteng, central Surabaya. Visitors walk through the hull, from the torpedo room and control areas to the crew bunks and machinery spaces, and can look through the periscope. The boat is KRI Pasopati, built in Vladivostok in 1952 and used by the Indonesian Navy, including in Operation Trikora. The visit is short, suits families and anyone interested in naval history, and is easy to combine with a stop in the park around it.
From Vladivostok to Surabaya
The submarine was built in Vladivostok in 1952. It is a Whiskey-class boat and was bought by Indonesia in 1962, becoming the navy's first submarine of this type.
That same year the boat took part in Operation Trikora, the campaign that brought West Papua from Dutch control under Indonesian rule. It stayed in navy service until 1989.
The boat was opened to the public in 1998. Today it sits on the riverbank as a monument to the heroes of the independence struggle and to Indonesia's seafaring tradition.
Inside the hull
The route passes the torpedo room, the control room with its panels, the crew bunks and the machinery spaces. Periscope views are part of the visit.
Much of the original equipment and the controls remain in place. The passageways are narrow, the ceilings are low, and some sections require stepping through small round hatches. Walking the length of the hull makes it easy to picture how little room a crew had.
The film and the displays
Behind the submarine is a cinema building that screens a documentary on the boat's history and the Indonesian Navy, with English subtitles. Information panels add historical context.
Staff speak good English and can answer questions about how the crew lived and worked on board.
Planning the visit
The monument is at Jalan Pemuda No. 39 in Embong Kaliasin, Genteng. Plaza Surabaya, described as the city's oldest mall, is nearby.
The grounds have cafes, food stalls and photo spots. On site there is a theater, a restaurant, a changing table and a gender-neutral restroom. Parking is available, both free and paid, and there is a wheelchair accessible parking lot.
Preguntas frecuentes
Is there an entry fee?
Yes. Tickets are inexpensive, and foreign visitors pay a higher rate than local visitors.
How long do you need?
Most of the submarine can be seen in under an hour. Allow more time if you plan to watch the documentary in the cinema building behind it.
Is it good for children?
Yes. The site has kid-friendly activities and a changing table, and the compact layout suits families.
Is the submarine accessible for visitors with limited mobility?
The site has a wheelchair accessible parking lot, but the inside has narrow passages and small round hatches. Some sections may be hard to reach for people with limited mobility.
Should I buy tickets in advance?
Yes, buying tickets in advance is recommended.
