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| Elaborately woven, bright crimson carpets created by the delicate hands of nomadic tribal women have become the artistic symbol of Turkmenistan, a country of sweeping deserts which played a vital role in the history of The Silk Road.
Three centuries before Christ, the Parthian tribes of horsemen arrived to establish their capital in Turkmenistan at Nisa. When their empire eventually encompassed much of Central Asia, the Parthians were a power which rivalled Rome.
From Nisa, the Parthians controlled The Silk Road and oasis settlements and trading centres like the region's harsh desert cities of Merv and Serakhs. Ruins of these ancient sites, evacuated and studied by international teams of archaeologists, can be visited and enjoyed today.
Turkmenistan later gained fame throughout Central Asia for producing the skilled and fierce nomadic tribesmen who rode out on raids to seize the riches of the passing caravans. These days, more benign tribal customs such as hospitality are making Turkmenistan famous. |
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The Parthian Capital of Nisa dates from the 3rd century BC and was inhabited up until the 19th century. Diggings have revealed a grandiose architectural complex consisting of an extensive palace with ceremonial hall, treasure house and residences. There are also ruins at nearby New Nisa. The Ancient City of Merv is one of the oldest inhabited cities in Central Asia. At one point in its history, Merv was called 'The Pearl of the East'. Razed by the Mongols, it was rebuilt over the centuries and today five distinct cities cover 130 square kilometres. Serakhs was a Silk Road oasis on the route from Nishapur in nearby Persia to Merv and was in its heyday from the 10th to 12th centuries. Once known for its architectural wonders, Serakhs now boasts the mausoleums of Abul-Fazy, Yarti-Gumbez and Sheikh Lokman. Kunya-Urgench was the capital of old Khorezm, which in the 8th century was the largest independent Muslim state in Central Asia. At one point in its history the city was called Gurgenj and flourished as a stopover on The Silk Road artery to Russia. Today, pre-Mongol monuments and ruins of mausoleums, minarets and fortresses attract visitors. Mashad-Misrian, an ancient trading oasis and trading centre on the Khorezm-Persia route, is now a jumble of ruins of fortress walls and towers, mosques, mausoleums and minarets. Recently discovered remains of three caravanserais from the 11th to 12th centuries attest to the city's mercantile past. Annau Fortress is near the capital and boasts 15th-century ruins. The Medieval City of Abiverd was an important trading post from the 5th to the 7th centuries. Daja-Khatin Caravanserai is a remarkable structure dating from the 13th century. Amul Fortress dates from the 15th century and is located near Chardjev. The Ancient Settlement of Parau is centred around Kizil-Arvat. |
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