Monument Arch of Neutrality

The Monument of Neutrality, originally in Ashgabat, was relocated to the suburbs in 2010. Known locally as "The Tripod," this three-legged arch stands 75 meters (246 ft) tall and was commissioned in 1998 by President Saparmurat Niyazov to celebrate the nation's policy of neutrality. The construction cost was $12 million. A 12-meter (39 ft) gold-plated statue of Niyazov, which rotated to always face the sun, topped the arch. Dominating the Ashgabat skyline, it was taller than the nearby Presidential Palace, and the statue was illuminated at night. The arch included a panoramic viewing platform popular with visitors.