Arkadag monument

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Arkadag monument

Arkadag monument, Ashgabat
Arkadag monument, Ashgabat

Unveiled on May 25, 2015, during Ashgabat’s City Day celebrations, the «Arkadag Monument» stands as a grand tribute to Turkmenistan’s President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow, affectionately referred to as «Arkadag,» meaning «protector» or «support.»

Renowned Turkmen artist Saragt Babaev, known for his fervent dedication to his craft, created a striking monument that bears a resemblance to a well-known statue of a great ruler in a northern Russian city. The main distinction lies in the materials used: while the Russian counterpart is constructed of copper, Babaev’s masterpiece is fashioned from bronze and gilded with gold.

Arkadag monument, Ashgabat
Arkadag monument, Ashgabat
Arkadag monument, Ashgabat
Arkadag monument, Ashgabat
Arkadag monument, Ashgabat
Arkadag monument, Ashgabat

To reach the monument, travel from the heart of the marble city along Neutrality Avenue (formerly Podvoysky Avenue), then turn right onto Bikrovinskoye Highway towards the famed Ashgabat Registry Office (ZAGS). The monument is prominently positioned at the center of a traffic circle, with notable landmarks such as the ZAGS, the Yıldız Hotel, and the Ashgabat Hotel nearby.

The monument features a 15-meter-tall white marble pedestal, upon which stands a 6-meter-tall golden statue of President Berdimuhamedow. Clad in a traditional telipe (papakha), the president is depicted riding a majestic Akhal-Teke horse, his right hand raised in a gesture of leadership. Accompanying him is a flying dove, symbolizing the nation’s aspiration for peace. The statue is crafted from bronze and covered in 24-karat gold leaf, equivalent to a purity of 999.

Ashgabat

Ashgabat city tour

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Explore UNESCO-listed Old Nisa
Visit Spiritual Mosque, Central Asia’s largest
Discover history at National Museum
Visit Akhalteke horse stables
View Lenin Monument and surroundings

Explore Ashgabat, Turkmenistan's capital, on this immersive 6-hour tour. Visit ancient sites like Old Nisa, marvel at modern marvels such as the Spiritual Mosque, and discover the city's rich history and culture at the National Museum of History.
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