- Neutrality Arch
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Neutrality Arch
The Neutrality Arch (Turkmen: Bitaraplyk arkasy) is a monument located in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan.
The arch is 75 metres (246 ft) tall and was built in 1998 on the orders of Turkmenistan's President Saparmurat Niyazov to commemorate the country's official position of neutrality.[1] It cost $12 million to construct. The three-legged arch was topped by a 12-metre (39 ft) tall gold-plated statue of Niyazov which rotates to always face the sun.[1][2] The arch is located in central Ashgabat where it dominates the skyline, being taller than the nearby Presidential Palace.[1] The statue is lit at night. The arch features a panoramic viewing platform which has become a popular visitors attraction.[1] The landmark is known locally as "The Tripod".[3]
Removal
On 18 January 2010 Niyazov's successor as president, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow, signed a decree to begin work on dismantling and moving the arch.[1][4] There were reports that the arch would be dismantled as early as 2008, but the president did not approve the move until 2010.[4] The dismantling was officially said to be a move to improve urban design in Ashgabat but is seen as part of Berdimuhamedow's campaign to remove traces of the personality cult that Niyazov had created in his two decades at the head of one of the world's most authoritarian regimes. Niyazov also named cities and airports after himself, ordered the building of an ice palace and a 40-metre (130 ft) tall pyramid but the gold-plated statue has been described as the most notorious symbol of his legacy.[1][2]
Berdimuhamedow replace the arch with a 95-metre (312 ft) tall "Monument to Neutrality" which is located in the suburbs.[1] The president has appointed Turkish construction firm Polimeks to carry out the demolition of the arch and the construction of the new monument.[4] The removal of Niyazov's golden statue was completed on 26 August, 2010.[5][5] However, the statue was merely moved to the new Monument of Neutrality.[6]
See also
- Destalinization
References
- ^ a b c d e f g The Times: 'Father of all Turkmen' toppled under orders of successor
- ^ a b BBC News: Turkmenistan ex-leader Niyazov's arch to be removed
- ^ Radio Free Europe: Turkmen Leader Orders Predecessor's Statue Removed
- ^ a b c Financial Times: Turkmenistan to end personality cult
- ^ a b Turkmenistan ex-leader Niyazov's golden statue toppled
- ^ http://www.eurasianet.org/node/64458
Coordinates: 37°56′13″N 58°22′48″E / 37.936944°N 58.380000°E
Categories:- Buildings and structures in Ashgabat
- Destroyed landmarks
- Buildings and structures completed in 1998
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