The Turkmenbashi Ruhy Mosque is the world’s largest single-domed mosque
Ashgabat is called ‘a white-marble capital’ or ‘a city of parks and fountains’, and ‘a crystal city’ (at night). The capital of Turkmenistan is magnificent all day or year long. There is always festive, bright, friendly and hospitable atmosphere in the city. These conditions create a special impression, providing originality and uniqueness to the city. Ashgabat receives only positive feedback. It is both a peace-making centre and an intersection on the Great Silk Road
However, Ashgabat is a young city. It was founded 140 years ago, in 1881. Ashgabat was renamed three times – Askhabad, Poltoratsk, and Ashgabat. Much of the city was completely destroyed by a nine-point earthquake within 10 seconds, in the night on October 6, 1948. The earthquake was the worst in the 20th century. Ashgabat has since been gradually rebuilt, and has turned into one of the most intensively developing cities on the planet after Turkmenistan’s declaration of independence
In 2013, the city was included in the Guinness World Records as possessing the world's highest concentration of white-marble buildings and was awarded the corresponding international certification
Moreover, the city, as well as its separate architectural monuments, received the Guinness World Records certificate. These landmarks include a monumental fountain complex with an architectural and sculptural ensemble embodying the founder of the Turkmen nation, the legendary Oguz Khan and his six sons on horses. The fountain complex symbolizes the hospitality of the Turkmen people, who honour their history and cherish their traditions. The landmark is located at the entrance to the Ashgabat International Airport, which impresses with its scale and extraordinary design. The airport is built in the form of a falcon preparing to fly. According to the Guinness World Records, the world’s largest architectural image of the star –the Turkmenistan TV and Radio Centre, the world's tallest Ferris wheel in an enclosed space of the Alem Cultural and Entertainment Centre, and the world's tallest flagpole (2008) are located here, in Ashgabat. The architectural design of the Bagt Köşgi (from Turkmen ‘Palace of Happiness’) Wedding Palace attracts special attention of tourists
