State Museum of Turkmenistan

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The National Museum of History and Ethnography of Turkmenistan

State History Museum of Turkmenistan
State History Museum of Turkmenistan

Located in the capital city of Ashgabat, the National Museum of History and Ethnography of Turkmenistan is a premier institution dedicated to preserving and showcasing the country’s rich heritage. Established in November 1998, the museum boasts a remarkable collection of over 500,000 artifacts, spanning various historical periods and themes. With nine distinct halls, each focusing on a different aspect of Turkmen history and culture, the museum offers an in-depth exploration of the nation’s past.

Previously known as the Main National Museum, it is one of the largest of the 26 museums established following Turkmenistan’s independence. The museum is situated on Archabil Avenue, nestled in the scenic Kopet Dagh foothills. Opposite the museum stands Turkmenistan’s main flag on one of the world’s tallest flagpoles.

The museum complex, spanning approximately 15,000 square meters, features a striking three-story structure with a dioctahedral blue dome, symbolizing the 16 Turkic states founded by Turkmen ancestors. Supported by five columns representing the country’s provinces, the complex is a modern architectural marvel, adorned with Finnish granite, precious woods, bronze, and materials from Turkey, complemented by intricate metalwork, decorative cornices, and stained glass windows.

In 2009, the museum expanded with the addition of two new buildings, housing the Museum of History and Ethnography and the Saparmurat Turkmenbashi Museum. These extensions blend seamlessly with the original design, connected by a colonnaded gallery.

The museum’s exhibits are organized into seven thematic galleries, showcasing a total of 166,000 unique items of historical and cultural significance. The Museum of History and Ethnography features ancient artifacts from Nisa, Merv, and Gonur, including vintage Turkmen carpets, rare national clothing, jewelry, and antique weapons. It also displays fascinating items such as a fossilized piece of wood from the Paleozoic era, dinosaur footprints, and an 820-kg meteorite from Kunya-Urgench.

The State Museum of the State Cultural Center of Turkmenistan also includes the Saparmurat Turkmenbashi Museum, which presents personal belongings of the presidents, state gifts, valuable archival documents, and artifacts related to the presidential inauguration.

One of the museum’s highlights is its comprehensive display of Turkmenistan’s natural landscape, including its flora and fauna, as well as fossils and rare geological specimens. The Independence Hall provides insights into the modern development of the country and features a selection of valuable gifts presented to Saparmurat Turkmenbashi, the nation’s first president.

The Ancient History Hall houses a fascinating collection of flint tools from the Mesolithic era (circa 50,000 BCE), used by early humans in Western Turkmenistan, alongside Neolithic ceramics and jewelry from early settlements on the northern slopes of the Kopet-Dag Mountains. The museum also features clay and metal artifacts, semi-precious stones, and objects from early agricultural civilizations such as Jeytun, Altyn-depe, Namazga-depe, and Anau-depe. Notably, the Margiana section showcases the unique Bronze Age civilization discovered in the Karakum Desert, north of present-day Bayramali, which was once a flourishing delta of the Murgab River around 3000 years ago.

A standout feature of the museum is its impressive collection of ivory rhytons, unearthed during excavations in Old Nisa, the ancient residence of the Parthian Arsacid kings. These artifacts, including marble statues and silver items from the fortress, exemplify the artistry of the Hellenistic period.

The Medieval Hall delves into artifacts from the Sassanid era, while the museum’s extensive collection of Turkmen carpets highlights the exceptional craftsmanship of hand-woven textiles. Traditional Turkmen women’s attire, especially wedding dresses adorned with embroidered fabrics and gilded silver jewelry, also features prominently. Additionally, the museum includes silver ornaments crafted for the renowned Akhal-Teke horses, which hold significant cultural value both historically and in contemporary Turkmen society.

The museum is open daily except Tuesdays, from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and features a souvenir shop for visitors.

The museum complex also encompasses three branches:

  • «Garashsyzlyk» Museum Address: 95 Turkmenbashi Avenue, Ashgabat Opening Hours: 9:00 AM — 5:00 PM Closed on Saturdays and Sundays, closed to the public on Tuesdays

  • «Galkynysh» Museum Address: 97 Archabil Avenue, Ashgabat Opening Hours: 9:00 AM — 5:00 PM Closed on Saturdays and Sundays, closed to the public on Tuesdays

  • «Bitaraplyk» Museum Address: 55 Bitarap Turkmenistan, Ashgabat Opening Hours: 9:00 AM — 5:00 PM Closed on Saturdays and Sundays, closed to the public on Tuesdays

Address: 30, Archabil ave. Ashgabat
Telephones: +993 12 48-90-18
Opening hours: 10:00 AM-05:00 PM
Lunch hour: 01:00 PM-02:00 PM
Closed on: Tuesday

Ashgabat Museums

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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