Overview:

is a monument complex located in the capital city of Turkmenistan, Ashgabat. It is dedicated to the country’s first president, Saparmurat Niyazov, who served as leader from 1991 until his death in 2006. The complex includes a huge 208-foot statue of Niyazov, a grand stairway leading up to the statue’s feet, a museum and other elements. The monument is seen as a symbol of strength and pride and is a major attraction in the city. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Turkmenistan
Prominent Features:

The Türkmenbaşy Monument in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, is a 935-foot-tall towering sculpture and one of the city’s most famous landmarks. Designed by local sculptor Karoline Müller, it honors the country’s first president, Saparmurat Niyazov, who served until his death in 2006. The monument features a colossal figure of Niyazov’s face at the top, framed by a pair of stylized wings and flanked by a rising sun on one side and a crescent moon on the other. At the base, four bronze statues representing the four pillars of Niyazov’s life—improvement of the nation, loyalty to the people, love of family, and service to the party—surround a larger-than-life statue of his head. The entire monument is encircled by a giant pool of water, 68 meters in diameter, that serves as a focal point for Ashgabat’s many festivals and celebrations. This national monument of Turkmenistan portrays the history and culture of the country.

History:

The Türkmenbaşy Monument is a monument located in downtown Ashgabat, Turkmenistan. It is a large concrete monument, 120 meters high, named after and dedicated to the first President of Turkmenistan, Saparmyrat Niyazov. It was completed in 2009 and was the highest monument in the world at the time. The monument itself is made up of a central concrete building, topped with a 5 meter gold-plated statue of Saparmyrat Niyazov, in a sitting position. The statue stands on top of a concrete globe, which is itself held in the air by 4 pedestals and surrounded by 44 colossal statues, all of which represent various aspects of Turkmenistan's history, culture, and identity. At the time of its completion, the Türkmenbaşy Monument was the highest monument of its kind in the world and has sincebeen a popular tourist attraction in Ashgabat. In 2010, it was awarded the Guinness WorldRecord for "Highest Monument Recitations" for its read-aloud prays from Niyazov's book, Ruhnama, the spiritual and ideological foundation of the government of Turkmenistan. Today, some locals feel that the massive towering monument is a reminder of Turkmenistan’s authoritarian and oppressive past. Other locals feel the way that the monument's height is a reminder of the monumental accomplishments Saparmyrat Niyazov achieved while in office, emphasizing the important role he played as an integral part of Turkmenistan's history. You must visit one of these historical places in Turkmenistan on your Turkmenistan tour

Interesting facts:

1. The Türkmenbaşy Monument is the world’s tallest flagpole, standing at 333 feet (101 meters). 2. The design of the monument resembles a combination of a movement of a burning flame and a sea wave. 3. The monument weighs 40 metric tons, and is made up of eight segments of steel and concrete that reaches a height of 15 stories. 4. The Türkmenbaşy Monument is topped with a gold-plated statue of President Saparmurat Niyazov, whose milestone accomplishments are depicted on the plinth below the monument. 5. The record-breaking flagpole stands as a symbol of Turkmen pride and is actually part of a larger complex called “Oguzhan”, which includes 12 marble statues of ancient Turkmen tribes. 6. The Türkmenbaşy Monument is lit up at night and can be seen from miles away. 7. The flag hoisted at the top of the record-breaking monument is an 8,000-square-foot flag with the national emblem of Turkmenistan at its center. Visit one of the famous monuments of Turkmenistan with your friends and family.