Statue of Lenin

Ashgabat


The statue of Lenin, in a small park off Azadi köçesi, is a charmingly incongruous assembly of a tiny Lenin on an enormous and very Central Asian plinth surrounded by fountains. Its walls feature modernist concrete sculptures made by Ernst Neizvestny, a Russian artist who lived and worked in Ashgabat during the 1970s.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Ashgabat attractions

2. Independence Square

0.3 MILES

At the centre of Ashgabat is the enormous Independence Square, on which sits the golden-domed Palace of Turkmenbashi (the place of work of the former…

3. Museum of Fine Arts

0.6 MILES

The Museum of Fine Arts is located in an impressive building with a big rotunda, two tiers and lots of gold. The collection contains some great Soviet…

4. Majlis

0.63 MILES

Turkmenistan's parliament building is opposite Independence Square.

5. Azadi Mosque

0.92 MILES

More a statement of foreign-policy leanings than a sign of religious awakening, the Azadi mosque, similar in appearance to the Blue Mosque in İstanbul,…

6. Carpet Museum

1.14 MILES

While there’s a limit to the number of rugs the average visitor can stand, the central exhibit, the world’s largest handwoven rug, really is something to…

7. Mosque of Khezrety Omar

1.19 MILES

The modern mosque of Khezrety Omar, off Atamurat Niyazov köçesi, is worth visiting for its wonderfully garish painted ceilings.

8. Circus

1.42 MILES

This Soviet-era circus building, which resembles a flying saucer, has been 'Turkmenised' with a coating of white marble. It's definitely worth a look if…