Huge statue to become visible from space

WASHINGTON - Agence France-Presse

The double-headed eagle figure has a significant place in the city’s culture. AA photo

A massive statue of a double-headed eagle to be constructed at the eastern province of Erzurum’s sprawling new bus terminal will be visible from space, according to municipal authorities.

The construction of the figure, which is seen in historical artworks from the Selçuk period, has already started and will cost 10 million Turkish Liras. The symbol will cover an area of 2,000 square meters at the bus terminal.

Erzurum Mayor Ahmet Küçükler said bus terminals were like a city’s mirror reflection, “This is why we have initiated a modern bus terminal project. It will be finished in the near future. The double-headed eagle figure has a significant place in the city’s culture and you can see it in all the historical areas here; it is like the guardian angel of the city.”

The symbol will be the emblem of the city, with the figure being the first thing tourists see when they arrive, Küçükler said.