The Arch of Triumph, also called the Swords of Qdisyah, and Hands of Victory, are a pair of triumphal arches in central Baghdad, Iraq. Each arch consists of a pair of hands holding crossed swords. The two arches mark the entrances to a parade-ground constructed to commemorate then Iraqi President Saddam Hussein's declaration of victory over Iran in the Iran-Iraq war (though the war was considered by many to have ended in stalemate). The arches were opened to the public on August 8, 1989. It is one of Baghdad's sights and monuments.
In February 2007, it was reported that the new Iraqi government had organized the Committee for Removing Symbols of the Saddam Era and that the Arc of triumph monument had begun to be dismantled, which drew protests from Iraqi and preservationists.
The demolition began on February 20, 2007. At that time, 10-foot chunks had been cut out of the bronze monument. Numerous Iraqi bystanders and coalition troops were seen taking helmets and bits of the monument away as souvenirs. The decision to remove the monument, made by Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, was challenged by U.S. Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad, who blocked the demolition on February 21.
The government of Iraq reversed its earlier plans to demolition the monument.
In February 2011, Iraqi authorities began the restoration of the monument as a sign of reconciliation and rebuilding of a new Iraqi state.
This is a medium poly model built to scale using 3D MAXs units.
Textures are 2048 x 2048
