Turkmenistan: Ashgabat – Independence Park

This is a massive park 2km by 1km in the heart of the otherwise fairytale city of Ashgabat. The park has a central Independence Monument as well as multiple statues of famous people related to the Turkmenistan history – warriors, poets, sultans, and so on.118m-tall structure erected in 2001 to commemorate the 10th anniversary of Turkmenistan’s independence (October 27, 1991). The monument’s height (91-meter tower + 27-meter golden spire) reflects the independence date (91 + 27 = 118). It is topped with a golden crescent moon and five stars, symbolizing the unity of the five major Turkmen tribes. The base is designed to resemble a traditional Turkmen yurt. The monument is surrounded by 27 statues of Turkmen historical figures, including warriors, poets, and leaders, with a golden statue of former President Saparmurat Niyazov (Turkmenbashi) at the front. Also, interestingly but the monument. It is often nicknamed “the plunger” due to its distinctive shape.