The most famous sights of Turkmenistan

Post-Soviet Islamic state in Central Asia, which possesses huge reserves of natural gas. Here, perhaps, and everything that we know about the country called Turkmenistan. Sights, resorts, numerous monuments of history and architecture are also present here. It is about them that will be discussed in our article.

Turkmenistan: attractions, tourism and resorts

Turkmenistan is one of the most underestimated by the tourists of the world. European travelers and do not know anything about it, and to the request to show on the map this Asian state is guilty of shrugging their shoulders. Turkmenistan, in turn, is a kind of passage into the mysterious world of the ancient East.

It is here that the ruins of the very first state formations of Central Asia were preserved. The historical sights of Turkmenistan are Nisa, Merv, Serakhs, Ekedeshik and other amazing places. Many monuments of this country are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

The nature of Turkmenistan is no less attractive. Here you can see the oldest pistachio groves, traces of real dinosaurs, huge gas craters and mud volcanoes. Especially beautiful are the local landscapes in spring.

The resort sphere of Turkmenistan is actively developing, especially medical and preventive recreation. On the coast of the Caspian Sea, a large resort zone of Avaza is created with first-class sandy beaches, hotels and cottages.

What else is interesting for Turkmenistan? The sights of this country are by no means limited to natural beauties and historical monuments. The real pride of Turkmenistan is its carpets, the qualities of which are recognized throughout the world. In the capital Ashgabat is a museum of carpets - the only one on the planet.

The main sights of Turkmenistan: Nisa

The capital of the state is the city of Ashgabat. It is here that many of the sights of Turkmenistan are located: Independence Monument, Saparmurat Turkmenbashi Theater, Bagt Koshgi Palace, Carpet Museum and others. Ashgabat itself is included in the Guinness Book of World Records as the city with the largest number of marble structures on the planet.

Nevertheless, Turkmenistan's main attraction is outside of Ashgabat, twenty kilometers from the capital. These are the remains of the ancient city of Nisa, founded in the third century BC. At one time it was the capital of Parthia, and in the Middle Ages Nisa became an important center of the Silk Road.

The invasion of the Mongols in 1220, as well as a number of other factors, led to the fact that the city began to lose its former positions. By the beginning of the XVIII century, he was almost completely emptied. Today from Nisa there were only picturesque ruins in the middle of the desert. All the remnants of the ancient Asian city are protected by UNESCO.

Monument of Independence in Ashgabat

Impressive, majestic, shocking ... This is how you can describe this unique structure in words. The Independence Monument is located in the eponymous park of Ashgabat, on the Archabil highway. This is the highest construction in Turkmenistan, the height of the monument reaches 118 meters.

The main object of the complex is a grandiose column crowned with a gilded crescent. On it you can see five stars, each of which symbolizes one of the largest Turkmen tribes. In the lower part of the monument there is a stylized yurt, from whose dome water flows. Approaches to the monument are guarded by huge statues of guards. In their hands, you can see the classic military attributes - a sword and a spear. Directly to the monument is a wide front alley.

Inside the Independence Monument there are expositions of the museum of national jewelry. Its halls and exhibits will amaze any guest with their luxury and wealth.

Crater Darwaza

A unique natural object is located 90 kilometers north of Erbent. "Gateway to the Underworld" - so you can translate the word "Darwaza" from the Turkmen language.

The gas crater of Darwaza was discovered by geologists in 1971 during excavations. Before scientists in a moment the hole of huge sizes opened up, exuding considerable volumes of gas. Geologists have set this gas on fire, so that it does not harm local residents from the neighboring village. From that very moment it burns to this day.

Approaching the edge of the gas crater is terrible and very dangerous. The pillars of fire, which erupt a huge pit, sometimes reach fifteen meters in height.

These and many other attractions of Turkmenistan are worthy of attention of tourists and careful study. Visit and you this unusual country, and you will discover new pages of history and culture of the East.