Ashgabat – the city of love

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.

The Ashgabat Olympic Village was built for the V Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games, which took place in 2017. Covering an area of 156 hectares, it is the largest multifunctional sports complex in the region. The Olympic Village includes over 30 different sporting facilities, some of which entered the Guinness World Records.

There are many other international awards and certificates for the architectural masterpieces in the Turkmen capital. However, the other works of the Turkmen masters are also included in the Guinness World Records. The unique Turkmen carpets are exhibited in the National Carpet Museum and the State Museum in Ashgabat. Modern museums represent true treasuries of the national spiritual and material heritage.

Guests of the Turkmen capital can buy souvenirs at the Altyn Asyr bazaar, the largest shopping centre in Central Asia, located on a 100-hectare area. Ashgabat impresses people with a huge amount of goods from all over the world. However, the shops with the well-known Turkmen carpets and other works of folk applied art are of particular interest to tourists. Travellers visit the livestock market on a regular basis.

The list of unique architectural masterpieces in Ashgabat is quite long… However, people have to see them with their own eyes, to visit this hospitable city, to realize its beauty, and to feel the hospitality of the people living here. The capital excites with magnificent palaces, modern residential buildings, roads, sports complexes that meet the world standards, and majestic monuments. Numerous fountains, parks and squares provoke special pride of the Turkmen people and highlight the other name of Ashgabat – ‘a garden city’. Flowers blossom in the city all year long, and create special festive atmosphere in the white-marble capital of Turkmenistan.

Perhaps that is why the guests who have visited Ashgabat always describe the city with enthusiasm. People appreciate its beauty and comfort, as well as friendliness and goodwill of its inhabitants. Moreover, the main wealth of Ashgabat is the people who form this city every day, putting a piece of their hearts and their great love for the Motherland and for its small part – Ashgabat.

One thing remains. Ashgabat that is translated as ‘a city of love’ or ‘a lovely place’ is unforgettable! Ashgabat will forever remain in your heart. And you will definitely aspire to come back here again.