Independence Monument

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Independence Monument

Independence park, Ashgabat
Independence Monument, Ashgabat

Not far from the Ruhnama— the sacred book authored by Turkmenistan’s first and lifelong president, Saparmurat Niyazov—stands the opulent Monument of Independence, along with a gilded statue of Niyazov himself.

In the year 2000, the Turkish company «Polimeks» embarked on the construction of this grand new monument in the illustrious city of Ashgabat. Designed to be unveiled in time for the country’s 10th independence anniversary, the Monument of Independence was officially opened in 2001 on one flank of the expansive Independence Park.

The monument features a towering column that reaches a height of 118 meters, crowned with a golden crescent adorned with five stars—symbolizing the unity of the five major Turkmen tribes. The lower portion of the monument is designed as a hemisphere, reminiscent of a traditional Turkmen yurt. Within this hemisphere is the «Museum of Independence,» which showcases historical artifacts related to the country’s journey towards sovereignty.

An integral part of the Monument of Independence is the grand pedestrian avenue. At the entrance stands a gilded statue of the first President of Turkmenistan, Saparmurat Niyazov, perched on a marble pedestal.

Notably, the monument features numerous depictions of majestic five-headed eagles. This five-headed eagle is one of the national symbols, illustrated on the President’s Standard, which was officially adopted by Turkmenbashi in 1996. The eagle’s three heads face the left side of the standard, while the remaining two face the right. Continuing the tradition of national heraldry, which originally depicted a two-headed eagle on Oghuz Khan’s flag vanquishing a serpent, the President’s Standard now features a five-headed eagle and a subdued two-headed serpent. This imagery symbolizes the protection of the state from both internal and external threats.

In front of the monument to Niyazov, there are additional statues representing various national heroes from Turkmen epic tales, further enriching the historical and cultural significance of the site.

Ashgabat

Ashgabat city tour

From$160
6 hours

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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