[2] Its author is Valentina Stevanovska, a sculptor who made several other controversial monuments from the Skopje 2014 project, including the statue dedicated to Alexander the Great officially named "Warrior on a Horse.

[4] The arch is dedicated to 20 years of Macedonian independence and its outer surface is covered in 193 m2 of reliefs carved in marble, depicting scenes from the history of Macedonia.

It also contains interior rooms, one of which has a function of state-owned souvenir shop, as well as elevators and stairs providing public access to the roof, allegedly intended as space for weddings.

It is designed to match the almost equally tall statue of "Alexander the Great", erected in the capital's central square in summer 2011.

The Greek Foreign Ministry has lodged an official complaint to authorities in the Republic of Macedonia following the inauguration of the arch which features images of historical figures including Alexander the Great.