Just eighteen kilometers from the capital of Turkmenistan is a small village, where the famous ancient city of Nisa. Many tours to Turkmenistan include a visit to the monument of the ancient culture in the mandatory list. As a result of hard work of many national and international architects managed to transform the ruins and numerous artifacts found here.
First mention of Nis belongs to the third century BC. It is believed that Nisa was used exclusively as a summer residence of the genus Arshakids. Later it became the capital of Parthia Nisa. The decline of the city came in the period when at the helm of steel Sassanids. In a relatively short period of time, the city literally disappeared from the map. By the early Middle Ages, the city has revived its former strength, becoming an important trading city on the Silk Road.
City of Nis, which is included in the list of World Cultural Heritage by UNESCO, in the twelfth century becomes the place of residence of the genus Anushteginidov, remaining so until the moment of arrival to the land of the Mongol invaders. From the sixteenth to the eighteenth century the city began to slowly but surely deteriorate. By the middle of the eighteenth century from the former greatness were only barely visible ruins.
Nowadays tourists exchanged hotels Turkmenistan on the opportunity to touch the living history can be seen in Nis several buildings:
- Square building – it housed the royal treasure trove;
- Monument Rodogune;
- Round Remains of the temple – it was used as a place of worship of the heavenly bodies.
The ruins of the Parthian fortress “Old Nisa”
Fans of historical tourism, accustomed to travel in different countries, where still preserved the atmosphere of antiquity, is sure to enjoy the last minute tours to Turkmenistan. Here you can admire the ruins of the famous fortress “Old Nisa”, located in the southern provinces at a distance of fifteen kilometers from the city of Ashgabat. Important historical and cultural significance of this fortress was marked by domestic and international experts, who have made it to the list of UNESCO’s international heritage.
The history of the construction of the fortress hides many secrets
Numerous scientific studies have helped establish that the founder of the fortification is the famous King Mithridates I. Found documents allow us to date the construction of the second century of the old era. The researchers were able to determine that over the next few centuries, the territory of the fortification is the tomb of the rulers of the Parthenon.
Relentless time and numerous disasters caused this fortress in the middle of the eighteenth century to the almost complete destruction. Today, the monument area of historical and cultural heritage is only seventeen hectares. This complex is now ready to offer tourists:
- The famous “Round Temple”;
- “Square Room”;
- “Square House” – was located here for a long time a treasury of the ruler. By the time of the destruction of the fortress of this room was the target of many thieves.
History of a detailed study of the fortress
For the first time representatives of the scientist community attended this fortification in the middle of the last century. Under his direct guidance of scientists managed to discover the great variety of all kinds of artifacts. Each of them allows you to form a picture of the life of ancient peoples.
These days, almost any tour in Turkmenistan is not complete without visiting this monument of architecture.