Independence Park

Ashgabat



Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Ashgabat attractions

2. Palace of Knowledge

0.62 MILES

Beyond the southern end of Independence Park is the huge, golden domed Palace of Knowledge: three large buildings that include a library, concert hall and…

3. Turkmenbashi Museum

0.63 MILES

Taking a leaf out of Kim Jong-il’s book, the Turkmenbashi Museum houses all the gifts and awards presented to former President Niyazov by various people…

4. National Museum

1.53 MILES

Looking like a lost palace in the urban desert, the National Museum occupies a striking position in front of the Kopet Dag. It’s actually a collection of…

5. Carpet Museum

2.59 MILES

While there’s a limit to the number of rugs the average visitor can stand, the central exhibit, the world’s largest handwoven rug, really is something to…

6. Arch of Neutrality

2.74 MILES

Once the centrepiece of Niyazov's Ashgabat, the Arch of Neutrality was erected to celebrate the Turkmen people's unsurprisingly unanimous endorsement of…

7. Majlis

3.13 MILES

Turkmenistan's parliament building is opposite Independence Square.

8. Azadi Mosque

3.2 MILES

More a statement of foreign-policy leanings than a sign of religious awakening, the Azadi mosque, similar in appearance to the Blue Mosque in İstanbul,…