State Museum of Turkmenistan, Ashgabat

The State Museum of Turkmenistan is the largest and most important museum in the country. Located in the southern part of Ashgabat, the museum spans 15,000 square meters and features over 130,000 items in its collection, with many more stored away from public view.

The museum's history began on January 5, 1998, when the President of Turkmenistan decreed the establishment of a new museum by merging the Museum of History and the Museum of Fine Arts. However, the roots of this collection date back to 1894 with the founding of the Transcaspian Regional Museum. The Museum of Fine Arts was established in 1939 as a separate entity, and in 1998, these two museums were combined once again.

The National Museum of Turkmenistan officially opened on November 12, 1998, later becoming the Main National Museum of Turkmenistan in 2007, and today it is known as the State Museum of the State Cultural Center of Turkmenistan.

The museum's exhibits cover historical artifacts from prehistoric times to the present day, with highlights including finds from excavations in Nisa, Anau, and Merv. The collection of weapons, coins, and jewelry from different eras is particularly fascinating. One of the most unusual and recent exhibits is a fragment of a meteorite that fell near Kunya Urgench in 1998.

The museum is organized into seven departments, including ethnography, fine arts, carpet art, and paleontology. With three floors and dozens of halls, even a brief visit takes at least three hours.

For those interested in history and culture, the State Museum of Turkmenistan is a must-visit, especially after exploring the ancient sites of the country. Just remember, the museum is closed on Tuesdays.