Türkmenbaşy Ruhy Mosque

The Türkmenbaşy Ruhy Mosque, often called the Gypjak Mosque, is a large modern mosque complex located in the village of Gypjak on the outskirts of Ashgabat, Turkmenistan. It was commissioned by President Saparmurat Niyazov and completed in the early 21st century as a national religious landmark.

The complex includes a capacious main prayer hall, courtyards and an adjoining mausoleum. Interior and exterior decorative elements incorporate quotations from the Ruhnama alongside Qur’anic texts.

The mosque was built as part of a state-led program of national monuments and includes the tomb of the late president within the site. It functions as an active place of worship and a point of national memory.

Gypjak lies just outside Ashgabat in Ahal Region, accessible by road from the city and visible from surrounding developments on the capital’s western outskirts.

• Modern national mosque: Built in the early 2000s in the village of Gypjak and closely associated with the late President Saparmurat Niyazov, it contains inscriptions of the Ruhnama inside the complex.
• Religious and memorial role: Functioning as both a place of worship and a national memorial, it draws visitors for religious services and to view the adjacent mausoleum.

What to See#

• Main mosque: The main prayer hall and courtyard of a large modern mosque complex built in the early 21st century with monumental architectural elements.
• Mausoleum: A mausoleum complex adjacent to the mosque containing the tomb of Turkmenistan’s first post‑Soviet president and associated memorial architecture.

The Türkmenbaşy Ruhy Mosque (the Gypjak mosque) is in the village of Gypjak just outside Ashgabat. It is normally reached by taxi or private car from Ashgabat on local roads in a short drive; it is commonly included on day trips from the capital. There is no metro access - visitors typically arrive by car or organized transfer.

• Visit outside main prayer times (midday and Friday noon) to access the interior freely and to avoid larger crowds of worshippers; check local schedules when planning your visit.
• Dress modestly and be prepared to remove shoes before entering the prayer hall - as an active mosque complex, its rules are enforced for visitors.
• Don't miss the adjoining mausoleum area containing the tomb of Saparmurat Niyazov; many tourists focus only on the prayer hall and overlook this historically important element of the complex.