The name of the most beautiful and amazing Central Asian city comes from two Persian words “love” and “city”, and looking at Ashgabat today, you notice and feel how its inhabitants love their city. Ashgabat, the modern capital of Turkmenistan, was built on the site of the old fortress in 1881, and from 1919 to 1927 the city bore the Russian name Poltoratsk. Today we will get acquainted with the most beautiful Ashgabat, and visit its unique and inimitable sights.
1
Independence Monument
The monumental 118-meter column in honor of the independence and sovereignty of Turkmenistan was erected in 2001, and today has become a significant symbol of the Central Asian state.
The white marble column is crowned with a gilded crescent, and at its base is a hemisphere that resembles the traditional dwelling of the Turkmen tribes - the yurt. Around is a park with sculptures of national heroes.
Honored guests of the capital planted a tree at the Alley of Heroes at the monument in memory of the historical past. The monument itself is depicted on banknotes of Turkmenistan. Most-beauty.ru recently wrote about the most beautiful banknotes in the world, read.
2
Palace complex "Oguzhan"
New Presidential Residence
In 2011, with the inherent scope and grandeur of the East, the new residence of the President of Turkmenistan was erected, not far from the place where the former residence of Turkmenbashi is located.
Old Presidential Residence
In 1997, French architects erected the white stone walls of the residence with a golden dome. But in the neighboring states more monumental complexes were built, and then it was decided to build the Oguzhan complex. The size of the buildings and the luxury of the halls are designed to raise the international authority of Turkmenistan.
The guests of the Turkmen capital are amazed at the size and luxury of the architectural elements of the most beautiful residence in the world of the ruler of the Central Asian state. However, you see everything for yourself.
3
The main flag of the state
Continuing acquaintance with state symbols, one cannot but note the unique main flag of Turkmenistan.
A free-standing flagpole, 133 meters high, takes fifth place in the world in height. The weight of the canvas measuring 52.5 by 35 meters is 420 kilograms. Its solemn uplift took place at a large gathering of people on June 29, 2008.
A guard of honor is displayed around the clock at the flagpole, and there is a state shrine at the intersection of Garashsyzlyk and Archabil Avenues opposite the National Museum.
4
Halk hakydasy Memorial
This complex, called "Memory of the People", was erected about three tragic events in the history of the Turkmen people: the Battle of Geoktepe, the Patriotic War of 1941-1945 and the most powerful earthquake of 1948.
In the photo: Monument “Ruhy tagzym”
A memorial was opened in memory of the victims of these events in 2012. On a large territory of 650 thousand square meters. meters are the monuments, the museum building, as well as the building for the Muslim rite of sadak.
The museum displays expositions about the glorious past of the Turkmen people, where a separate room is allocated that contains materials about the Turkmen who took part in the war of the Soviet people against Nazi Germany and its allies.
5
Turkmenbashi Ruhi Mosque
We note right away that the main mosque of Turkmenistan is today the largest single-domed mosque in the world, and it was erected in 2004, named in honor of the country's first president Saparmurat Niyazov.
The French company built it 15 kilometers from the capital, and at the opening, the president personally walked around it three times, and said a prayer of praise to Allah with his people. The mosque impresses with its magnificent decoration and size. Its four minarets soared up to a height of 91 meters, and the height of the building with a white marble dome is 55 meters. The mosque is on the list of the most beautiful mosques in the world.
The Mausoleum was also built here, where, after death, the body of the president for life, the father of the Turkmen nation, Saparmurat Turkmenpasha, rests.
6
Monument to the holy book "Ruhnama"
In September 2001, President of Turkmenistan Saparmurat Niyazov presented his creation to the people - the holy book “Ruhnama” (“Spirituality”), which he wrote for 5 years.
In it, the father of the nation substantiated the God-chosen people of the Turkmen people, sanctified the heroic moments of history, and also outlined the main directions of development and determined spiritual values.
In honor of the book, a magnificent monument was erected, which became a vivid landmark of the city of Ashgabat. The uniqueness of the monument is that in the dark, the book opens and shows documentary films on the formation of the Turkmen nation on its pages.
7
"Ruhiet"
The Palace of Congresses and Arts with the poetic name “Ruhiet” was built in the center of Ashgabat in 1997-1999. This stately building hosts official government events, forums and congresses.
In addition, concerts, celebrations of national holidays, and congresses are held in its halls, where important state development programs are adopted. Often, the president of a country meets foreign delegations not in his residence, but in this palace.
The palace is decorated with a huge President carpet, which covers an area of 294 square meters. In 2008, a beautiful fountain was built in front of the palace, which cost the country's budget $ 6.6 million.
8
Temple of Alexander Nevsky
Tolerance and respect for other cultures of the Turkmen people is manifested in a careful attitude to the shrines of other religions and cultures.
The symbol of Orthodoxy in the center of Ashgabat is the majestic Temple of Alexander Nevsky, built almost simultaneously with the foundation of the city, in 1882. And they consecrated it in 1900, since then it has become the center of the Orthodox people living in Central Asia.
The temple building was built in the classical architectural style of Russian Orthodoxy in the form of a cross with one dome. For construction, white burnt brick was used. During worship and ceremonies, 350 people can be accommodated in the walls of the church.
9
National Museum of Turkmenistan
You can get acquainted with the history of the country and its national traditions in the main museum of the country, which opened its doors in 1998. In its halls the rarest exhibits of antiquity are collected, and the modern life of the state and its inhabitants is also presented.
The building itself is a masterpiece of architectural art, built in a classic oriental style. The facade is decorated with majestic columns, and the halls are unlike one another.
In the hall of ancient history there are tools made of flint, whose age is more than 50 thousand years, and in the hall of the Middle Ages a rare collection of jewelry is presented.
10
Ertogrulgazy Mosque
Built in the traditional Ottoman architectural style, the mosque in the heart of the Turkmen capital has become its real decoration and the pride of its inhabitants.
It was erected in the early 90s, and was named in honor of the legendary ruler of the Turks Ertorgul. Today, the mosque, opened in 1998, is one of the most beautiful religious buildings in Ashgabat. Traditionally, it is surrounded by four minarets, and beautiful fountains beat in the square around it.
Tourists note its resemblance to the Blue Mosque of Istanbul, both in architectural style and in the magnificence of the interior.
11
Turkmen Carpet Museum
The goal of creating this national museum was to preserve the unique traditions of Turkmen carpet weaving, as well as to promote national art among the younger generation and tourists.
In its magnificent halls, about 2,000 carpet products are exhibited, among which there is the smallest carpet, as well as the largest handmade carpet in the world. Among the exhibits there are rare examples, and in the laboratories of the museum, restoration of old carpets is carried out.
It was opened in 1993, and every year thousands of tourists visit the museum’s halls to get in touch with the unique national art of Turkmenistan.
You can see even more photos and beautiful places of Ashgabat on the next page.
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>>> PART 2. SIGHTS OF ASHGABAT <<<