Sultan Palace Merv

Monuments of Kunya Urgench

Minaret of Kutluk Timur

The oldest of its kind remaining minaret in the world and the highest from its period. There are two different dates of its construction. One date written on the lead plate found at its basis between the debris what show 1011 year. The decorative brickwork with early symbols, Kufic inscriptions attest the earlier date of construction. However, the second date is 1330 year, restored by Kutluk Timur. It is 12 meters wide at the base, diminishing to the 2 meters diameter at its 60 meters high top.

Mausoleum of Turabek Khanum

Inside, the dome has the wealth in mosaics, put together as a calendar. The impressive mosaic of 365 interlocking geometric tiles making the appearance of night sky. Symbolical number of preserved arches, niches and tiling all have its place in architectural masterpiece of that period. One of the earliest mosaic dome decorations in Central Asia. Double dome with conical turquoise tile finishing outside. It is named after Turabek Khaum, the wife of Kutluk Timur (who governed in Kunya Urgench 1321-1336). The large domed hall and the smaller hall behind composed the main building. Together with high portal opened to deep iwan following the entrance inside.

Mausoleum of Sultan Ala al-din Tekesh

The structure is presumed the last resort of Khoresmshah Ala al-Din Tekesh (1172-1200). Brick construction composed of square hall and 11,45 m high walls, supporting a massive round drum and a conical roof with an inner dome. The facade presents a high portal niche. The lancet arch of the portal is enriched by a system of stalactite shaped forms, with terracotta decorative motifs fixed on wooden sticks within the brickwork. The turquoise tile conical dome finish the composition outside. Scholars suggest that the mausoleum was in centre of the complex of buildings or was part of a House of Government or a palace of Kharezmshahs.

Kyrkmolla fortress remains

It is 12 meters high mound was a fortress of old town Gurganj. The earliest ceramics found at the site, dated to 5th century BCE. Later, probably used as a Necropolis as visitors can see burial chambers everywhere under the surface. Locals respect this place as pilgrimage holy site. Where they arrive to show their respect and make wishes. Partly, the curtains of the wall are reconstructed to show the walls dated after 10th century CE.

Mausoleum of Il Arslan

The Khorezmshah Il Arslan ruled in Kunya Urgench 1156-1172. His mausoleum is the oldest monument standing in Kunya Urgench, it is dated to 12th century. Also, it is one of the earliest Islamic mausoleum in Central Asia. The walls of the baked bricks formed the cuboid structure of the building. The faceted conical roof of the dome, presenting outside a tiling technique executed in turquoise glazed brick tiles formed in geometric pattern. The front wall decorated with a motif carved in relief into brick panels. Frieze containing inscriptions in beautiful script, enriched by vegetal motifs of different variations of an arabesque pattern.

Ak – Kala fortress remains

The southwest part of the site offer a view on the medieval fortress of Kunya Urgench. The mud brick walls enforced with semi- circular towers, stretched for more than one kilometer. The inner side of the walls have the buttresses. They are survived at 6-8 meters high, with 2 meters wide at the top.

Khorezm Bag fortress remains

The southwestern outskirts of Kunya Urgench contain the remains of a quadrangular fortress, measuring some 400 X 500 meters. This fortress erected at the order of Khan Muhammed Emin in the middle of 19th century. Little survived of high defensive wall, the mud bricks eroded by time and weather.

Mausoleum of Ahmed Ibn Omar Najm-Ad-Din al-Kubra

Sheikh Najmuddin Kubra was the founder of the Kubrawi order in Kunya Urgench, in 13th cetury. Also known Firdausia Silsila is a Sufi order that traces its spiritual lineage to the Prophet Muhammad, through Ali, Muhammad's son-in-law and the First Imam. The Kubrawiya order places emphasis on being a universal approach, applicable to both Sunnis and Shiites. Sheikh Najmuddin Kubra was killed during the siege of Kunya Urgench by Mongols in 1221.The mausoleum of Ahmed Ibn Omar Najm-Ad-Din al-Kubra was erected in 14th century. During the last period of renaissance of Kunya Urgench after Mongol invasion.

Mausoleum of Sultan Ali is 16th century ruler of Kunya Urgench. Mausoleum is located across the mausoleum of Ahmed Ibn Omar Najm-Ad-Din al-Kubra. A hexagon structure of the building. Dome measuring 9.5 meters in diameter.

Mausoleum of Piryar Valiis cotemporary of Ahmed Ibn Omar Najm-Ad-Din al-Kubra and built to its next. Date of constructione is between 13th- 14th centuries. The structure is 6.5 meter high and 7.5 meters in length.

Ibn Khajib Complex: The monument is dedicated to one of Ahmed Ibn Omar Najm-Ad-Din al-Kubra's talented disciples, Ibn Khajib. It is a complex of monuments constructed between 14th – 19th centuries, in the western part of Kunya Urgench.

Dash Mosque is a former madrasa dated to the early 20th century. Since 1990, it is Kunya Urgench history and Ethnography museum. The hall of the structure and a good number of rooms around courtyard house the museum exhibits, representing the history and ethnography of the Khorezm oasis.