Overview:

is a large museum dedicated to preserving and displaying the intricate Turkmen rugs and carpets. The museum houses the widest collection of carpets, sacks and fabrics with exquisite detailing and finishing in Central Asia. The museum displays about 500 examples of Turkmen carpets ranging from the earliest times to the present day. It also contains a specialized carpet laboratory where visitors can see the rugs and fabrics being restored to their former glory. The museum is visited by many people every year and was featured in the popular documentaries “The Carpet Makers” and “My House in the Mountain of Rugs”. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Turkmenistan
Prominent Features:

1. Colonial-era building: This museum is located in the former residence of the Republic of Turkmenistan’s former president, Saparmurat Niyazov, constructed in the early 1900s. The two-story building features a traditional Turkmen design and showcases traditional carpets, rugs, and textiles. 2. Carpet gallery: This gallery showcases thousands of amazing carpets and rugs of various sizes, colors, and patterns which were made in Turkmenistan over the years. 3. Weaving demonstrations: The museum offers weaving demonstrations where visitors are demonstrated how hand-made Turkmen rugs and carpets are made with traditional tools and techniques. 4. Traditional artifacts: The museum also has a collection of traditional artifacts like weapons, ceramics, jewelry, and musical instruments which are used to study the history and culture of the Turkmen people. 5. Café: The museum also has a café where visitors can relax and enjoy authentic food and drinks as they explore the museum. This national monument of Turkmenistan portrays the history and culture of the country.

History:

The Turkmen Carpet Museum in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan was established in 1984. It is the largest of its kind in Central Asia. The museum exhibits over 3,500 Turkmen carpets, many of which are several hundred years old. These works of fine art include handmade rugs, pile, kilims, Goblo, and flat weaving compositions from various tribes in the region. The museum also features displays of Turkmen artifacts, ornaments, jewelry, embroideries, and other traditional decorative arts. Additionally, there are special exhibits which explore the history and symbolism of Turkmen carpets. The museum has been featured in several international exhibitions including: the World Exposition in Madrid (1992), the Legof Seminar in Austria (1993), and the World Exposition in Osaka (1995). It has also had several publications dedicated to it which explore its collection. Since its establishment, the museum has been a major tourist attraction of Ashgabat. It offers tours, educational services, and even participates in conferences and festivals. For instance, in the mid-1990s it hosted the International Carpet Festival of Turkmenia. Furthermore, the museum continues to serve as a source of pride for the Turkmen people, and its collection contributes to the preservation of their culture and heritage. You must visit one of these historical places in Turkmenistan on your Turkmenistan tour

Interesting facts:

1. The Turkmen Carpet Museum in Ashgabat was built in 1993 for the preservation of ancient Turkmen carpets. 2. It exhibits more than 500 carpets, as well as 40 kilims, wall hangings, cloths and bags dating back to the 16th century. 3. It also houses over 800 kinds of wool and silk- produced by the country's homeland-grown fine fibers and yarns. 4. The museum also has occasional design and research exhibitions and seminars. 5. Turkmen Carpet Museum features a changing exhibition of royal carpets and a special hall dedicated to President Saparmurat Niyazov. 6. It was awarded the Altyn Asyr (Golden Age) award for Excellence in Tourism in 2008. 7. The museum building itself is designed to look like a winding Turkmen carpet, with a large dome topped by a double-headed eagle. 8. The museum also houses a number of gift shops, including one that specializes in the sale of silk carpets and wall-hangings. 9. The museum also runs an vintage and visiting carpet workshop, organized seminars and workshops. 10. The Turkmen Carpet Museum is also the site of the world’s largest single-item carpet, measuring 8,300 square feet and weighing over 1,800 pounds. Visit one of the famous monuments of Turkmenistan with your friends and family.