Turkmenistan
Door to Hell
In the heart of the Karakum Desert, the Darvaza gas crater glows red as a brilliant sunset pierces the clouds – a fitting tribute to the ethereal beauty… [...]
By the Caspian Sea
Three local children stand on the pier of the Salkyn kenar amusement park in Türkmenbaşy by the Caspian Sea. Soviet-era amusement parks feel like time capsules. In this festive… [...]
The disappeared ocean
Hours of driving through the Karakum Desert lead to Yangykala Canyon. Millions of years ago, this mesmerizing natural wonder was the seabed of the ancient Tethys Ocean. [...]
Family outing
A local family visits the site of Merv’s first fortress, walking along its ancient walls. The ancient city of Merv dates back to the 3rd millennium BC. This oasis… [...]
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By supporting Novastan, you are supporting the only English, French and German-language media specialising in Central Asia. We're independent and we need your help to stay that way!The Tolkuchka market
The Tolkuchka market in Ashgabat is located in a vast modern area and is organised in the style of the large Central Asian bazaars. It sells just about everything:… [...]
Burning Fortresses
These fiery fortresses, or Yangi-Kala, are canyons in the mountains of Turkmenistan. At sunset, the intense colours of white, yellow, ochre, violet and red enliven the cliffs sculpted by the… [...]
On board the train
The Ashgabat – Türkmenbaşy night train takes these young girls on holiday to the brand new sea resort area of Awasa, on the Caspian Sea. March 2024. Credits… [...]
Turkmen road
In north-eastern Turkmenistan, a Moskvitch 2140 on the M37 highway heading towards Turkmenabat. Unlike in the capital city, infrastructure throughout the rest of the country is… [...]
Remembering a tragic event
In 1948, a devastating earthquake struck Ashgabat razing the city to the ground with estimated casualties equivalent to almost 10% of the Turkmen population at the time. A gigantic sculpture… [...]
The eternal flame
The eternal flame in the Turkmen capital, Ashgabat. Turkmenistan is rich in natural reserves such as oil and natural gas, the export of which contributes significantly to the national economy. [...]
Gold-plated statue
Gold-plated statue of a former authoritarian president Saparmurat Niyazov revolving in direction of the sun placed on the top of Neutrality Monument. Credit: Konstantin Novaković (Serbia) Find all of… [...]