Russian obelisk, Luanda

The construction crane gives an idea of how huge this thing is!

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Comments

milliped says:

What is it for?
Posted 36 months ago. ( permalink )

That is a very good question! And I do not have an answer. I guess that today it is a constant reminder of the influence Russia (and Cuba) once had over Angola.

I will be returning to Luanda later this week and will try to find out more.
Posted 36 months ago. ( permalink )

Tudor Barlow says:

Clearly by the "big is beautiful" school of design. Love the clouds.
Posted 36 months ago. ( permalink )

flash of light says:

I wondered if this was something that was left over from the cold war, but clearly this is still under construction?

--
Seen on your photo stream. (?)
Posted 36 months ago. ( permalink )

focalplane says:

Nelly, I think the crane is actually involved in new construction near to the obelisk. When I was in Luanda over two years ago the obelisk was finished with no construction going on in the area. It is, as you say, a left over that is unlikely to be taken down soon.
Posted 36 months ago. ( permalink )

Skink74 says:

Whatever it is I like it! It has a very unearthly feel to it, which works really well with the hdr treatment.
Posted 36 months ago. ( permalink )

focalplane says:

Ok, I went back to Luanda last week and asked a good friend about the obelisk. He was not so happy that I should ask but told me that it is officially called the "Monument of the Revolution" and was indeed built by the Russians. He volunteered his opinion that the current additions of a library of Angolan Culture (hence the crane) would have been much more useful without the tall spike.

Angola is facing up to a new future with a lot of new oil wealth pouring in and a conscious effort is being made to improve Luanda's infrastructure and quality of life. May they succeed!
Posted 36 months ago. ( permalink )

milliped says:

Still, a fascinating artefact in a faraway place... flickr makes one learn all the time :-)

Also good to know that high oilprices do have their advantages in many places...
Posted 36 months ago. ( permalink )

worldwidewandering says:

You are invited to post this and any other photos you have of Angola to worldwidewandering - a travel atlas. Post comments
and thumbnail photos to the Angola discussion thread.
Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

Kalle Anka says:

Looks rather good.
Posted 27 months ago. ( permalink )

marcellobellini4 says:

sorry but is the Agostinho neto mausoleo
Posted 26 months ago. ( permalink )

focalplane says:

Marcellobellini4, I have to say that my information was from several Luanda natives. But when I return to Luanda I will seek out more on the subject!
Posted 25 months ago. ( permalink )

moitas61 says:

Show. belo click.
Parece um foguetão!!!
Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

WildVanilla says:

Hi, I'm an admin for the group Obelisks around the world and we'd love to have your photo in our group.
Posted 11 months ago. ( permalink )

PQz says:

Great picture of one of my favourite buildings in Luanda (the other being the National Bank of Angola). Congrats!

This is indeed the Mausoleum of President Neto (Angola's first president and one of the most important National Heroes), who died in Moscow back in '79. It was built by the Soviets and the rumour has it that the Angolans never paid for it. The crane is part of the construction site of the Cultural Centre being built in the Mausoleum grounds.
Posted 11 months ago. ( permalink )

focalplane says:

Thank you, PQz for the update, and kind comments!
Posted 11 months ago. ( permalink )

Sand Lovers says:

100% a mausoleum for President Agostinho Neto. Very big joke locally as to when it will take off... Nice to see it in HDR.
Posted 7 months ago. ( permalink )

glenb424242 says:

Really nice pic, I would love to go. Is it safe to visit Luanda fro americans?
Posted 7 months ago. ( permalink )

focalplane says:

Thanks for your comment - I am reluctant to answer your question but you should know that it is very difficult to get a visa and once you arrive you really need to have some form of local support - there is no public transport such as taxies available. This means that Luanda becomes a very expensive place to visit. Hotel rooms are hard to find and can be very expensive. There's that word again.
Posted 7 months ago. ( permalink )

glenb424242 says:

Reminds me a bit of Cuba, I found a pic of the bay in Luanda and it even looks alot like the the Malecon in Havana, lol. I am so intrigued by Angola.
Posted 7 months ago. ( permalink )

Sundials by Carmichael says:

Great shot!

Thanks for adding this to our group Gnomons, Styles and Nodi

This would make a great sundial gnomon.
Posted 6 weeks ago. ( permalink )

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Taken in Luanda, Luanda (map)
Taken on November 23, 2006
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Russian obelisk, Luanda

Comments

milliped says:

focalplane says:

Tudor Barlow says:

flash of light says:

focalplane says:

Skink74 says:

focalplane says:

milliped says:

worldwidewandering says:

Kalle Anka says:

marcellobellini4 says:

focalplane says:

moitas61 says:

WildVanilla says:

PQz says:

focalplane says:

Sand Lovers says:

glenb424242 says:

focalplane says:

glenb424242 says:

Sundials by Carmichael says:

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