Gyaur Kala, the oldest and best-preserved oasis city on the Silk Road and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is home to the intriguing remains of the ancient gateway to Central Asia. The archaeological site has a 20-hectare walled enclosure spanning 4,000 years of human history (49 ac). The ancient metropolis, which claims to have been the world’s largest city in the 12th century, has layers of civilizations, including Persian, Greek, Arab, Seljuk, Mongol and Khiva, with the Zoroastrian “gawurgala”, or fortress of the infidels, the most intriguing stone structure.
The site, located 30 kilometers (19 miles) west of Mary and close to the Murghab River, also includes a well-preserved Seljuk sultan’s mausoleum. Hire a local guide to help you understand the giant eroding pillars and abandoned stone structures, and you’ll get a better sense of history.
Location: Merv, Turkmenistan
