See these amazing photos from Turkmenistan, where new national stadium is nearing the finish line, following 4-year long redevelopment.

According to information presented in February, the new national stadium in Ashgabat was supposed to be ready by the end of 2016. Looking at most of it today, you might indeed get the impression that it’s already complete.

Underneath the stands almost all facilities are furnished, including VIP, corporate and sporting zones. Similarly the facades are delivered in traditional white colour, one decorated with a giant screen counting down the days until the 2017 Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games (AIMAG). We’re 293 days away from the event’s opening, planned to be held at the new Olympic Stadium.

Complete reconstruction of the stadium was launched in 2013, when the previous one was partly demolished (comparison between 2013 and 2016 below). By May 2014 nothing remained of the previous structure. Then by the end of 2015 all of the new seating bowl was ready and installation of the 16 massive girders of the roof began.

Currently almost all works are complete, apart from the field and running track and… the head. The stadium’s signature element is a massive horse’s head on top of the north stand’s roof. It’s currently being finished and will provide a stunning viewing point once ready. Just look at the below images, courtesy of the stadium’s general contractor Polimeks.

© Polimeks

© Polimeks

© Polimeks

© Polimeks

© Polimeks

© Polimeks