Gypjak Mosque, Ashgabat

Admire a magnificent gilded dome surrounded by four 91 m (298 ft) tall minarets plated with white marble at Gypjak Mosque, a modern mosque in Gypjak village in the vicinity of the capital. Explore huge marble colonnades around the mosque and stroll around a large paved square flanked by two fountains. The main hall, covered with handmade rugs, can accommodate up to 10,000 worshippers. Officially called Turkmenbashi Ruhy Mosque, the structure features depictions of the Qur’an and the Book of the Soul on its walls. A mausoleum with the tomb of the country’s first president, Saparmurat Niyazov, lies within the complex. Some 7 km (4.3 mi) west of downtown Ashgabat on the M27 highway, this must-see sight is definitely worth the drive. For Gypjak Mosque and beyond, use our Ashgabat day trip tool to get the most from your Ashgabat vacation.