National Memorial Arch
One of the most significant arches in the United States is the National Memorial Arch. It is dedicated “to the officers and private soldiers of the Continental Army December 19, 1777 June 19, 1778”. The Arch is located in Valley Forge National Historic Park in Pennsylvania. The Arch was built in 1910 by an act of the 61st Congress.
Menin Gate: Flanders, Belgium
The historic Menin Gate Memorial in Flanders, Belgium, marks the starting point for one of the main roads out of the town that led Allied soldiers to the front line during World War I. It was built by the British government, the Menin Gate Memorial opened on July 24, 1927 as a monument dedicated to the missing British and Commonwealth soldiers who were killed in the fierce battles around the Ypres Salient area who have no known grave.
Patuxai or Gate of Triumph: Vientiane, Laos
The word Patuxai literally means Victory Gate or Gate of Triumph. It is formerly the Anousavary or Anosavari Monument, a monument in the center of Vientiane, the capital of Laos built in 1962 or 1968.
The arch is dedicated to those who fought in the struggle for independence from France. Although resembling the Arc de Triomphe, in Paris, it is typically Laotian, decorated with many kinnari figures: half woman, half bird.
Arch of the Cinquantenaire, Brussels
This intricately designed Arch was planned for the world exhibition of 1880 and was meant to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the independence of Belgium. The monument was finally completed by way of private funding in 1905, just in time for the 75th anniversary of the Belgian independence. It is the widest and second highest (after Paris) triumphal arch in the world.
Arch of Triumph: Pyongyang, North Korea
The elegant Arch of Triumph in Pyongyang was built to commemorate the Korean resistance to Japan from 1925 to 1945. It was built in 1982 on the Triumph Return Square at the foot of Moran hill in Pyongyang, the capital of North Korea. The monument was built to honor and glorify President Kim Il-sung's role in the resistance against Japanese rule. Inaugurated on the occasion of his 70th birthday, each of its 25,500 blocks of finely-dressed white granite represents a day of his life up to that point.
Arch of the Centuries: University of Santo Tomas, Philippines
The spectacular Arch of the Centuries along España Boulevard in Sampaloc, Manila is a monument in the University Of Santo Tomas (UST) that stands 15 meters away from the University's main vehicular entrance.
It was originally erected at Intramuros, where UST was originally found. When the University transferred to its present location at Sampaloc, the Arch was also carried piece-by-piece and was re-erected at the front of the main vehicular entrance of the University.
Moscow Triumphal Gate: St. Petersburg, Russia
This gigantic neoclassical triumphal arch in St. Petersburg, Russia is called the Moscow Triumphal Gate. The monument: built mainly in cast iron: was erected in 1834 -1838 in the memory of the Russian victory in the Russo-Turkish War, 1828- 1829.
Narva Triumphal Gate: St. Petersburg, Russia
This triumphal arch was built in 1814 to commemorate the Russian victory over Napoleon. Narva Triumphal Gate was erected in the vast Narva Square, Saint Petersburg.
Triumphal Arch: Bucharest, Romania
This triumphal arch is located in the northern part of Bucharest, the capital of Romania. The first, wooden, triumphal arch was built hurriedly, after Romania gained its independence in 1878, so that the victorious troops could march under it. Another temporary arch was built on the same site, in 1922, after World War I, which was demolished in 1935 to make way for the current triumphal arch, which was inaugurated in September 1936.
Triumphal Arch: Barcelona, Spain
This huge and stylish Triumphal Arch is an archway structure in Barcelona, Spain. It was built for the 1888 Universal exhibition, as its main access gate. The arch is built in reddish brickwork in the Moorish Revival style. The top of the arch is decorated with the Barcelona coat of arms as well as a representation of all 49 other Spanish provinces. The arch is located between Passeig de Lluis Companys and Passeig de Sant Joan.
Gateway of India: Mumbai, India
This basalt arch of 26 meters high is a monument in Mumbai, India is called the Gateway of India. It is located on the waterfront in South Mumbai. The Gateway is traditionally the first thing visitors arriving by boat would see of Mumbai. It is located next to the iconic Taj Mahal Palace and Tower. Behind the Gateway steps lead down to the waterfront, where boat trips can be had to locations such as Elephants Island.
India Gate
Another popular and important arch in India is the India Gate. It is a war memorial located in New Delhi, the country's capital commemorating the Indian dead of the First World War. The India Gate today also houses the Indian Army's Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Amar Jawan Jyoti.
Hands of Victory: Baghdad, Iraq
One of Baghdad's sights and monuments is the pair of triumphal arches called the Swords of Qadisiyah, also known as the Hands of Victory. The arches are located 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.
Arch 22: Banjul, Gambia
The youngest arch on the list is Arch 22, a unique commemorative arch situated on the road into Banjul in The Gambia. It was built in 1996 to mark the military coup d'etat which over threw the democratically elected government, and saw the rise to power on July 22, 1994 of President Yahya Jammeh and his Armed Forces Provisional Ruling Council. A statue of the “unknown soldier” can be seen near the base of the arch. The soldier is carrying a baby in one hand, making the peace sign with the other hand, and has a rifle strapped across his back.
Most of these arches were built to honor our ancestors who fought and died for freedom. Experience is the best teacher; we should never let those things happen again. Learn from history; always remember that the best thing in life is free.
