Ertogrulgazy Mosque, Ashgabat

Ertogrulgazy Mosque, sometimes called Azadi Mosque due to its location on Azadi Street in central Ashgabat, is one of the most beautiful mosques in Turkmenistan. Its design is Turkish, inspired by Byzantine architecture, making it resemble the Blue Mosque in Istanbul.

The idea to build this mosque came from Turkish Prime Minister Suleyman Demirel, who visited Turkmenistan in 1992. By early 1993, construction had begun, and the completed mosque was unveiled to worshippers in 1998. It was named after Ertogrul, the father of Osman I, the founder of the Ottoman Empire.

The mosque includes a large courtyard, bringing the total area to 2,800 square meters, making it the largest mosque within the city limits. It can accommodate up to 5,000 worshippers, with the first floor designated for men and the second floor for women. The mosque is crowned by a beautiful Byzantine dome and flanked by four 62-meter-high minarets.

Inside, the mosque's decoration is stunning, featuring intricately carved doors, paintings, and Quranic suras on the walls and ceilings, some in gold paint, as well as bright stained glass and other decorative details. The spacious hall also boasts excellent acoustics.

Non-Muslims can visit the mosque during certain hours when prayers are not taking place.