A relatively young port city, founded on the shore of the Caspian Sea in 1869, has already managed to acquire its own legends, and most importantly, it has preserved buildings that can tell a lot of interesting things about the history and traditions of the city.
Near the historical part, new buildings have grown harmoniously blending into the city landscape. Let's go today to this wonderful eastern city of Turkmenistan in order to see first-hand the sights of Turkmenbashi (Turkmenbashi) of different historical periods of the city’s development, as well as beautiful places in its environs.
In the photo: Stella at the entrance to the city
Until 1993, Turkmenbashi was called Krasnovodsk. Officially, the last letter in the name of the city is “Y”, but on the territory of the Russian Federation there are more and more names that end with the letter “I”.
1
Turkmenbashi Airport
Traditionally, we will start with the air gates of the city - the beautiful Turkmenbashi airport, which began sending and receiving aircraft in 1959.
Today it is an international class airport capable of servicing various types of airliners, including the large A380 and Boeing 757 airbuses. The terminals have everything for a comfortable stay of passengers, as well as conference rooms for meeting foreign delegations.
In terms of architecture, the airport, rebuilt in 2010, perfectly combines modern and traditional national architectural styles.
Did you know that most-beauty.tu has a good article about the most beautiful airports in the world?
2
Train Station
The first buildings on the site of the modern railway station appeared in 1880, when the construction of the Trans-Caspian railway began in this part of Central Asia.
The station itself began work in 1895, and the architectural elements of the luxurious Palace of the Emir of Bukhara were used during construction.
It should be noted that the railway station building and the Turkmenbashi railway station itself are one of the most beautiful on the entire railway line of Central Asia.
3
Symbolic gates to Central Asia
At the seaport of the city of Krasnovodsk, symbolic gates were erected in Central Asia, which are two high towers made in the traditional architectural style for the east.
On the top of the towers in Soviet times, large red stars flaunted, and after renaming the city and proclaiming the independence of Turkmenistan in 1991, the stars were replaced with symbols of Islam.
Today it is one of the most emblematic sights of the country, opening doors not only in Turkmenistan, but also in Asia.
4
Parau Bibi Mosque
On one of the most beautiful cliffs of Kopetdag, a unique white mosque is located, which has long been the object of pilgrimage for Muslim women.
According to legend, the mosque was built on the spot where the rock sheltered the beautiful girl Parau-Bibi, which the villagers wanted to give to the attacking enemies.
Every day, hundreds of women come to the sacred place and ask Parau-Bibi for patronage, and most importantly, that she helps to preserve the beauty, successfully marry, give birth and raise children.
Photos of other amazingly beautiful mosques you can see here.
5
Khazar State Reserve
A unique nature reserve was founded in 1932, and previously bore the name Krasnovodsky. Now on an area of 270 thousand hectares, most of which is occupied by the sea, rare plants grow.
The plant world is represented by 660 species of mosses, mushrooms, as well as rare flowers. As for animals, rare species of invertebrates are found here, many of which are listed in the Red Book.
The reserve on the shores of the majestic Caspian Sea is visited annually by thousands of tourists, both from near and far abroad.
6
Textile complex Turkmenbashi
The textile industry, along with oil refining, is the main sector of the economy of Turkmenistan, therefore, it is given special attention and care by the authorities.
A beautiful building of the textile complex named after Saparmurat Niyazov began to be built in the city in 1998, and two years later the first meters of fabric came out from under its machines.
Today, production volumes are so great that the state exports fabrics to more than 20 countries in Europe and Asia. Here, a year earlier, a Turkmenbashi jeans tailoring complex was built.
7
Palace of Culture of Oil Workers
Oil workers, like textile workers, are an honorary profession in Turkmenistan, and the oil refinery in the city is one of the largest in Central Asia.
Naturally, the workers needed rest, and therefore, even in the Soviet period, the beautiful building of the Palace of Culture was built. It is worth noting that this is the largest public building in the city.
In 2013, the Palace was completely reconstructed. A new stage appeared, and in the basement equipped pool, sports and games rooms.
8
Monument to the Heroes of Turkmenistan of World War II
The terrible war touched this remote corner of the Soviet Union, and grateful descendants in 1975 erected a monument to the soldiers who gave their lives for the freedom of their homeland.
The monument is installed on the square opposite the railway station, and is a sculpture of the father of Saparmurat Niyazov, who died in the battles for the Caucasus.
At the foot of the monument, an eternal flame burns in memory of all those who died in the war against Nazi Germany and Japan. On marble slabs, the names of 1,200 dead, as well as those who died from wounds in hospitals, are engraved. The names of 4 Heroes of the Soviet Union are inscribed on a separate plate.
9
Monument to Japanese prisoners of war
There is a unique monument in the city, which is dedicated to Japanese prisoners of war, which were placed in barracks under the mountain in September 1945.
The Japanese were actively used in the construction of residential buildings, the Palace of Culture, and also paved the way to the airport, punching through the rocks. The houses built by the Japanese turned out to be quite high-quality, and the apartments were cozy with a convenient arrangement of rooms.
Many died from illnesses, and in memory of those who died away from their homeland, in 1985, this monument was erected in Krasnovodsk. On the plates are the names of the dead Japanese.
10
Avaza
The rapidly developing beautiful resort Avaza is located 12 km from the city, and annually receives tourists from all over the world.
The national resort area of Turkmenistan can rightfully be proud of its magnificent beaches, comfortable hotels and cottage complexes. In addition, ultramodern health centers have begun to function here in recent years.
The hotels of Turkmenbashi, built in recent years, have become real works of architectural art, and the Gayama hotel looks like a big beautiful ship.
11
Avaza Fountains
We should also talk about the fountains located on the territory of the Avaza resort complex. A series of fountains form a beautiful water cascade of luxurious architectural structures.
During visits to foreign delegations, a unique bewitching laser show of water and light is organized here, and on ordinary days they delight visitors with freshness and incredible beauty.
One of the fountains is installed directly in the sea, not far from the marina, and many fountains are decorated with sculptural compositions and unusual architectural elements.
Most-beauty.ru has unique material about the most beautiful fountains in the world, we strongly recommend that you look.
12
Mausoleum of Shir Kabir
In the vicinity of the city is a unique Muslim necropolis, in the center of which is the mausoleum of Ali ibn Sukkari.
A monument was built in the traditional architectural style of the famous Serakh school, and belongs to the X century. The walls were built of white mud brick and decorated with highly artistic carved beige curls.
Despite numerous restructures, the unique architectural elements of the mausoleum dating back to the 10th century have been preserved in architecture.
13
Misrian
The ruins of the ancient settlement are the largest archaeological and historical monument of Turkmenistan, located near Turkmenbashi.
Time mercilessly destroys a monument of archeology, but according to the surviving remnants, it is safe to say. That at one time it was a large commercial and cultural center of the Middle Ages.
During the study, two minarets were found and investigated, built near an interval of 200 years. Among other archaeological artifacts, molded and pottery, household items and jewelry made of silver and gold were found.
14
Karakum desert
Around the beautiful eastern city is a real kingdom of sand, dunes and camels roaming between them. When in these sands was the Soviet military unit 12543, from which today there are only ruins.
Note that this is one of the largest deserts in the world, covering most of Turkmenistan, covering an area of 3,500 thousand km². In spring, the desert around the city comes to life, but by the beginning of May, many plants dry out, because the temperature in the summer reaches + 63 ° C.
In Turkmenbashi, as well as throughout the country, the national holiday "A drop of water is a grain of gold", established by Saparmurat Niyazov, is being held on a large scale.
As you can see, the port city of Turkmenbashi has many beautiful and unique attractions, and in recent years there has been an influx of tourists seeking to visit this corner of the globe with unique nature and beautiful monuments of history and architecture.
In conclusion, a little more history. The city was founded, which is now called Turkmenbashi, a Russian expedition led by the famous Russian commander Nikolai Stoletov. The first fortified settlement at this place was given the beautiful name Krasnovodsk, which became a direct translation of the local toponym Kyzyl-Su.
Article author: Valery Skiba