Gypjak Mosque
A large gold-domed mosque west of Ashgabat, with a mausoleum beside it.
Updated 3 September 2026
The mosque at Gypjak, a village west of Ashgabat, was completed in 2004 on a very large scale, with a gilded central dome, four minarets each of ninety one metres and white marble facing throughout, standing in open ground with the Kopetdag behind. A separate domed mausoleum next to it holds the grave of the country's first president, who was born in the village. The site is kept in immaculate condition. The prayer hall is said to hold several thousand people, which is far more than the village around it could ever supply.
What to look for
- The gold dome - the gilded central dome above the prayer hall.
- The four minarets - towers of ninety one metres at the corners.
- The mausoleum - the separate domed building beside the mosque.
- The Kopetdag backdrop - the mountain range rising behind the site.
When to go
April to May and September to October avoid the heat. Visits should avoid prayer times. Modest dress is required.
What to expect
Photography is restricted and guards enforce it. The scale is monumental rather than intimate and some find it cold. There is nothing else at the village.
Nearby
Ashgabat is east, and Nisa is between them.
What to pack for Gypjak Mosque
Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.
- Comfortable walking shoes - Sightseeing means kilometres of pavement and cobbles daily. Find on Amazon
- Modest clothing - Shoulders and knees covered - the single most common requirement. Find on Amazon
- A slim anti-theft daypack - Zips that close properly; keep it in front in crowds and on transit. Find on Amazon
- A scarf or shawl - To cover the head or shoulders on entry; women especially at mosques. Find on Amazon
Some links on this page are Amazon affiliate links - if you buy through them we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
All packing kitsPlan your trip
Where to start if Gypjak Mosque is going on the list.
Booking links on this page are affiliate links - if you book through them we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It never changes what we write about a place.
Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.
