The Turkmen National Carpet Museum

The Turkmen National Carpet Museum — Located in Ashgabat, the Turkmen National Carpet Museum is a private museum showcasing the history and richness of Turkmen carpet art. Opened in 1994, it houses over 1,000 carpets dating from the Middle Ages to the 20th century. The museum's collection includes the world's largest collection of hand-woven carpets, including the Teke and Sarik carpets. A 193 m² carpet made for the Bolshoi Theater in 1941 and a 301 m² carpet woven in 2001 for the 10th anniversary of independence hold Guinness World Records. Reversible designs, carpets incorporating tribal motifs, and examples dedicated to Turkmenbashi are noteworthy. The museum also serves as the official inspection center for carpet exports. Carpets older than 30 years are generally prohibited from being exported.