Turkmenistan: Ashgabat – Gulistan aka Russian Bazaar

There is also another spectacular market in the heart of Ashgabat known locally as the Russian Bazaar (it was constructed between 1972 and 1982 as part of the “Ashgabat Reconstruction Program of 1970-1980” under the design of Russian architect). The market is an example of Soviet Modernism architecture, featuring a unique roof with sixteen crossbars forming an eight-pointed star, plus there is a famous abstract sculpture, the “bowl of gazelles” that doubles as an air duct cover. The markets has tons of stuff on offer – fresh fruits and vegetables, famous Turkmen melons, dried fruits, spices, and delicacies like black caviar, candied melon, chal (fermented camel’s milk) and much more. It also features souvenirs and Turkmen traditional carpets.