Monument of Neutrality, Ashgabat, Turkmenistan
Some people consider the Monument of Neutrality to be one of the world’s most magnificent structures; the others believe that it is an architectural nightmare. But they all call it one of the brightest symbols of modern Turkmenistan.
The 95-m structure like a giant lighthouse dominating over white-marbled Ashgabat is the tallest monument in Turkmenistan. The structure rests on three pylons forming a trivet – a Turkmen hearth stand, symbolizing the strength of the state. The pylons are interconnected with disks and rings of different diameter and thickness to support sky decks. Two pylons are fitted with funiculars, bringing the visitors to the monument first level. At the height of 21.5 m there is a café-bar greeting an excellent panorama of the city. A transparent elevator lifts the visitors even higher – at the height of 50 m to reach an upper sky deck. The structure is crowned with a 12-m sculptural composition – a golden statue of the first president of Turkmenistan Saparmurat Niyazov, raising the arms to the sky on the background of a waving flag.
The Monument of Neutrality is lined with white marble; its pylons and lower cylinder are decorated with bas-relief fragments depicting Turkmen history. The vertical part of the pylons is hooped with five, according the number of Turkmen tribes, bronze rings with national ornaments of Turkmen carpets. Earlier, this gigantic structure was slowly rotating around its axis, making a complete rotation for a period of 24 hours, and today it just faces the city.
Epic Turkmenistan Culture & Adventure Route © Monika Newbound
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