Turkmenbashi

Turkmenbashy, situated on the northern shore of a gulf, boasts a natural harbor that attracted tsarist Russia’s attention nearly 300 years ago. In the early 18th century, Prince Alexander Bekovich, hailing from an elite Caucasian family, arrived to support Peter the Great’s ambitions to secure trade routes in Central Asia and explore rumored gold deposits along the Oxus River (Amu Darya).

The first settlement, Krasnovodsk—meaning “red water” in Russian, named for the cliffs’ reflection in the sea—was established in 1717 when Russian troops under Bekovich landed to advance toward Khiva. This strategic location was chosen due to its proximity to the dry riverbed where the Oxus River once flowed into the Caspian Sea, offering the best route across the desert. However, Bekovich’s efforts to negotiate with the Khan of Khiva ended in disaster, resulting in his murder and the massacre of his troops.

For over 150 years, Russian interests in the area remained dormant. It wasn’t until 1819 that Captain Nikolai Muraviev arrived during another Russian expedition, seeking to establish trade connections via Krasnovodsk. Unlike Bekovich, Muraviev survived and was tasked with evaluating Khiva’s defenses for a potential future conquest to free Russian slaves held by the Khan.

Russia’s ambitions in the region intensified in the 1860s, especially after capturing Tashkent, Samarkand, and Bukhara. The need for a strategic port on the eastern Caspian Sea became evident, leading to the establishment of a permanent Russian fort at Krasnovodsk in 1869 under the command of Nikolai Stoletov. By the end of the 19th century, Krasnovodsk had evolved into the western terminus of the Transcaspian Railway, gaining significant strategic importance despite lacking formal urban planning. The railway station became its most prominent feature.

During World War II, thousands of Japanese prisoners of war were brought to Krasnovodsk to build roads and infrastructure, contributing to the town’s diverse atmosphere. Today, Turkmenbashy is home to a mix of ethnicities, including Russians, Turkmen, Azeris, Turks, and Western oil workers. After Turkmenistan gained independence, Krasnovodsk was renamed Turkmenbashy in honor of former President Niyazov. The government has made substantial investments in modernizing the largest oil factory in Turkmenistan, relocated here during the war, and in the redevelopment of the coastal area, Awaza, to enhance tourism and hospitality. The town’s ethnic diversity continues to grow, especially with the influx of non-Turkmen minorities following independence.