The National Park of Independence is one of the most visited places in Ashgabat. It is an important part of the infrastructure, as it comprises almost 50% of the total green area of the city. It’s a huge park in the southern part of the city and home to the famous symbol of Ashgabat-the Independence monument. Because of its hemisphere design which has 8 parts, locals simply call the monument the eight-legged.
The Independence Monument reflects the value and importance of the greatest achievements of the Turkmens past centuries. The monument is a 118-meter column crowned with a five-star golden crescent moon-a symbol of the unity of the five largest Turkmen tribes, the lower part of the monument is a hemisphere reminiscent of the traditional Turkmen yurt's shape. The eight "legs" of the yurt dome float down the fountain channels, and partially over the surface.
The park itself is luxurious. At the beginning of the central pedestrian valley the statue of Turkmenistan's first president, Saparmurat Niyazov, was installed on a marble pedestal. Magnificent golden statues of great rulers and military figures, intellectuals and artists from Turkmenistan are placed in the park near the monument. There are also a lot of water fountains in the forms of animals or birds, pools, numerous cozy branches, pedestrian and bicycle paths, flower beds, etc.
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