National Turkmen carpets are distinguished by ornaments and distinctive color. The Carpet Museum in Ashgabat was created by the President in 1993 to preserve and revive the traditions of carpet weaving.
The building is in the shape of a white-gray paralapided. The front gates are arranged in the form of a golden carpet. Above the window openings are decorative elements in the form of carpet flowers. The the sides of the building are decorated with images of carpets. The total area of buildings is more than 5000 sq.m.
Along with storage, exposure and reconstruction of carpets, the museum holds congresses and symposia.
Exhibition spaces are filled with rugs of different sizes, materials and color. The most small-sized carpet was the creation designed for carrying of keys. The most bulky carpet was woven in 2001 to perpetuate Saparmurat Turkmenbashi. Its weight exceeds 1 tonne, and the area is equal to 301 m2. The masterpiece became the second largest in the world by size, so in 2003 was included in the list of Guinness Book of Records.
Scientific researchers of the National Museum of carpet collect the samples of ancient carpets from around the world. Some of them are restored, and some are taken apart and used as a specimen. The oldest carpet belongs to the XVII century.
In 2009 not far from the museum a nine-storey building of State Turkmenhaly appeared. It manufactures and exports woolen hand-made Turkmen carpets.