Ancient Merv is one of the largest cities of the medieval world, capital of mighty empires, a center of science and culture. Today, the ruins of this legendary city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, span more than 1,200 hectares in the heart of Turkmenistan.
History of Greatness
Merv — an oasis on the Great Silk Road — was inhabited as early as the 3rd millennium BC. In different eras, the city bore different names: Margush, Antiochia Margiana, Maru-Shahu-Jan. In the 12th century, under the Seljuks, Merv became one of the largest cities in the world with a population of over one million.
Scholars, poets, and philosophers created here. The great poet Omar Khayyam spent part of his life in Merv, working at the observatory and library. The city was famous for producing cotton, silk, and the renowned Turkmen carpets.
What to See
The Mausoleum of Sultan Sanjar is a masterpiece of medieval architecture. The massive dome, 27 meters in diameter, was once covered with turquoise tiles and visible from tens of kilometers away. Despite destruction, the mausoleum impresses with its scale and the engineering genius of 12th-century builders.
Greater and Lesser Kyz-Kala are mysterious fortresses with corrugated walls, unparalleled in world architecture. Erkala is the oldest part of Merv, preserving traces of Bronze Age settlements.
Nisa — Parthian Capital
Near Ashgabat lies another treasure — the ruins of Nisa, the ancient capital of the Parthian Empire. In the 1st-2nd centuries BC, Parthia was a powerful state rivaling Rome.
Excavations at Nisa have given the world unique finds: ivory rhytons with Greek and Eastern motifs, sculptures, coins. Many artifacts are kept in the National Museum of Ashgabat.
Traditions and Culture
Turkmenistan is a country of ancient traditions. Akhal-Teke horses, known as "heavenly horses," have been bred here for thousands of years. Handmade Turkmen carpets are true works of art, each with a unique pattern and history.
National cuisine combines nomadic and agricultural traditions. Chorba (soup), manti, pishme (fried donuts) — each dish reflects the character of the hospitable people.
How to Get There
Ancient Merv is located near the city of Mary, 350 km from Ashgabat. You can fly by domestic flight (about an hour) or drive by highway. Exploring the ruins takes 3-4 hours; the best time is morning or evening when there's no scorching sun.
Visiting Turkmenistan requires obtaining a visa and tourist invitation. We organize complete support: visa assistance, transfers, professional guides.