The Five Stans Adventure exploring Turkmenistan 🇹🇲 Uzbekistan 🇺🇿 Tajikistan 🇹🇯 Kazakhstan 🇰🇿 and Kyrgyzstan 🇰🇬
Head out for a city tour of Ashgabat with your leader today – see the four-pointed minarets of the Ertugrul Gazi Mosque and the extravagant Independence Monument. This sculpted park is filled with statues of Turkmen heroes (and controversial politicians) line the paths that lead to a golden dome and a massive minaret. Continue to the Neutrality Arch, which despite its name, has a provocative history. Travel outside the city to the Turkmenbashy Ruhi Mosque – the mausoleum of former Turkmen leader Saparmurat Niyazov – before heading to the ruins of Anau. The crumbling remains of the medieval mosque still attract the devout, who come to pray and make offerings. After an action-packed day full of sightseeing, tonight is free to explore (or simply relax) as you wish.
~ Intrepid Travel ~ Five Stans Day 2
I was very excited to start exploring this private country. Ashgabat is very white, white marble buildings, white cars, everything is white! It does look nice though and it is very clean. We had a great van to get around Ashgabat in.
Ertuğrul Gazi Mosque
Ertuğrul Gazi Mosque is a prominent landmark in Ashgabat with its four minarets and a central dome and has a lavish interior decoration with fine stained glass windows. The mosque was inaugurated in 1998 after the independence of Turkmenistan in 1990. It is named after Ertuğrul, the father of Osman I, founder of the Ottoman Empire, and was built by Hilmi Şenalp.
Independence Monument
The “Independence Monument” commemorates the independence date of Turkmenistan ~ 27 September. The design was inspired by traditional Turkmen tents and the traditional headgear worn by Turkmen girls. It is surrounded by green landscaping that encompasses a cascaded pool and 27 heroic statues of Turkmen leaders, centered on a golden statue of Saparmurat Niyazov.
Monument of Neutrality
Previously called the Neutrality Arch, it was built in 1988 on the orders of President Saparmurat Niyazovto commemorate the country’s official position of neutrality. It is a three-legged arch and known locally as “The Tripod”. Unfortunately it is being renovated and we couldn’t get close.
Turkmenistan TV Tower
The Turkmenistan Tower is the tallest building in Turkmenistan at 211 metres high. It is the communications and observation tower.
Constitution Monument
The Monument to the Turkmenistan Constitution is 185 metres high an the 2nd tallest building in Turkmenistan.
Alem Cultural and Entertainment Center
This venue contains the world’s tallest indoor Ferris Wheel … which we went for a ride on! It was fun.
Turkmenbashy Ruhi Mosque
Turkmenbashy Ruhi Mosque is the main mosque of Turkmenistan built in honor of Turkmenbashi. The mosque has one dome surrounded by 4 minarets. Turkmenbashi himself is buried in the central sarcophagus. Outside there is a memorial for the people killed by the earthquake of 1948.
Old Nisa Ruins
Nisa is an UNESCO World Heritage Site and was a settlement of the Parthians, founded by Arsaces I who reigned from 250 BC to 211 BC.
Seyit Jamal Ad-Din Ruins
Built during 1446-1457 and destroyed in the 1948 earthquake. These ruins were a mosque and mausoleum.
Food
I’ve been eating very well! Apricots are used in a lot of dishes and I had Iranian candy.
Ashgabat Out & About
Happy Travels!
The Five Stans
Subscribe To Blog
Enter your email to receive updates of new posts!
Jackie is “Mom” to one amazing son, an IT professional and an obsessed traveller. She spends her time reading, golfing at Ladies League and implementing software projects. Jackie has travelled to 7 continents, 5 oceans and 103 countries and she is always planning the next destination and adventure!