A fiery crater that's been burning for decades. Some call it the Gates of Hell and others the Derweze crater. It is claimed that the fiery crater in Turkmenistan in 1971. by mistake was created when a group of Soviet engineers were searching for oil fields in the area. As they began drilling, the ground collapsed beneath their equipment, taking the entire drilling rig with it.
After the crater was formed, geologists set it on fire to prevent methane gas from spreading. They thought the crater would only burn for a few weeks, but they were wrong. It's been burning for more than four decades now. No one knows when it will die down.
The gateway to hell
The crater is about 274 kilometers from the capital Ashgabat and it has a diameter of 226 feet and is 98 feet deep. The gateway to hell, as the locals call it, certainly recalls the myths of the underworld.
In recent years, the Gateway to Hell has gained popularity and become one of the main tourist attractions in Turkmenistan. However, for a long time the Turkmen government only promoted UNESCO World Heritage Sites such as Kunya-Urgench, Ancient Merv and Nisa, thinking that the crater would cause a bad reputation for the country. Only recently have they accepted the fame of the crater and taken some measures to promote it as a tourist attraction.
Overnight accommodation at the crater of Derweze
Since the crater is located in the middle of a remote desert, it is difficult to find hotels nearby. But there is an exciting option, especially for all the thrill seekers out there. You can stay in a Turkmen yurt built around the burning crater and enjoy the mesmerizing view of the blazing fires. We especially recommend travelers to visit the crater just before sunset.
We at TripLegend are offering a trip to Turkmenistan soon to visit the gateway to hell with you. You can find our current trips here. Sign up for our newsletter if you want to travel with us to the gateway to hell!
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