Independence Monument, Ashgabat

A towering monument in Ashgabat marking Turkmenistan's independence, rising from a domed base beneath a tall column crowned by a crescent and five stars. Set within a landscaped park lined with gilded statues of national heroes, it is one of the tallest structures of its kind in the country. The white marble and gold detailing typify the monumental architecture of the modern capital. Fountains, terraces and formal gardens surround the monument, which serves as a venue for state ceremonies.