Monument of Neutrality (Turkmen: Bitaraplyk arkasy) is a monument originally located in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan. In 2010, it was moved to the suburbs. The three-legged arch, which became known locally as "The Tripod",[1] was 75 metres (246 ft) tall and was built in 1998 on the orders of the president of Turkmenistan, Saparmurat Niyazov, to commemorate the country's official position of neutrality.[2] It cost $12 million to construct. The monument was topped by a 12-metre (39 ft) tall gold-plated statue of Niyazov which rotated always to face the sun.[2][3] The arch was located in central Ashgabat where it dominated the skyline, being taller than the nearby Presidential Palace.[2] The statue was illuminated at night. The arch featured a panoramic viewing platform which was a popular attraction for visitors.[2]
On 18 January 2010, Niyazov's successor as president, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow, signed a decree to begin work on dismantling and moving the arch.[2][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 the excesses of the personality cult that Niyazov had created in his two decades at the head of one of the world's most totalitarian 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.[2][3]
Berdimuhamedow moved the "Monument to Neutrality" to the suburbs.[2] The president appointed Turkish construction firm Polimeks, which had initially constructed it, to carry out the dismantling and movement of the arch.[4] The removal of Niyazov's golden statue was completed on 26 August 2010,[5] although it was then placed back after the monument was moved. The statue no longer rotates, but the viewing platform is still usually open for visitors. There are elevators inside the "legs" of the monument.[6]
neutrality, monument, monument, neutrality, turkmen, bitaraplyk, arkasy, monument, originally, located, ashgabat, turkmenistan, 2010, moved, suburbs, three, legged, arch, which, became, known, locally, tripod, metres, tall, built, 1998, orders, president, turk. Monument of Neutrality Turkmen Bitaraplyk arkasy is a monument originally located in Ashgabat Turkmenistan In 2010 it was moved to the suburbs The three legged arch which became known locally as The Tripod 1 was 75 metres 246 ft tall and was built in 1998 on the orders of the president of Turkmenistan Saparmurat Niyazov to commemorate the country s official position of neutrality 2 It cost 12 million to construct The monument was topped by a 12 metre 39 ft tall gold plated statue of Niyazov which rotated always to face the sun 2 3 The arch was located in central Ashgabat where it dominated the skyline being taller than the nearby Presidential Palace 2 The statue was illuminated at night The arch featured a panoramic viewing platform which was a popular attraction for visitors 2 Monument of NeutralityBitaraplyk binasy Turkmen LocationBitarap Turkmenistan Avenue Ashgabat TurkmenistanBuilderPolimeksTypeArchHeight95 m 312 ft Completion date1998 Contents 1 Removal 2 Symbol of the country 3 See also 4 References 5 External linksRemoval edit nbsp View of Ashgabat from Arch of NeutralityOn 18 January 2010 Niyazov s successor as president Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow signed a decree to begin work on dismantling and moving the arch 2 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 the excesses of the personality cult that Niyazov had created in his two decades at the head of one of the world s most totalitarian 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 2 3 Berdimuhamedow moved the Monument to Neutrality to the suburbs 2 The president appointed Turkish construction firm Polimeks which had initially constructed it to carry out the dismantling and movement of the arch 4 The removal of Niyazov s golden statue was completed on 26 August 2010 5 although it was then placed back after the monument was moved The statue no longer rotates but the viewing platform is still usually open for visitors There are elevators inside the legs of the monument 6 Symbol of the country edit nbsp 10000 manat nbsp 5 manatSee also editDe StalinizationReferences edit Radio Free Europe Turkmen Leader Orders Predecessor s Statue Removed 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 a b c Financial Times Turkmenistan to end personality cult Turkmenistan ex leader Niyazov s golden statue toppled BBC News Asia Pacific 26 August 2010 Retrieved 12 September 2012 Catherine A Fitzpatrick 7 November 2011 Turkmenistan Golden Turkmenbashi Statue is Back External links edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Neutrality Arch The Neutrality Monument Polimeks 37 52 56 N 58 20 00 E 37 8822 N 58 3333 E 37 8822 58 3333 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Neutrality Monument amp oldid 1210962660, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
