Otrar

At 156 kilometers from Shymkent and 60 kilometers from Turkestan lie the ancient ruins of Otrar, a city once nestled in the heart of the Great Steppe and a vital trade hub on the Silk Road. Positioned at a crossroads of major trade routes, Otrar was renowned as one of Central Asia’s wealthiest and most advanced cities. Today, only its reconstructed mighty gates and vast landscape, with remnants of residential and religious buildings, recall its former grandeur.

The history of Otrar spans roughly 2,000 years. Before the 8th century, the city was known as Turar, Turarbent, and Turarkent. During the 8th to 10th centuries, it became known as Farab, later evolving to Otrar from the 10th century onward. «Farab,» in Arabic, means «a place of many waters,» an apt name given the rivers Arys, Syr Darya, and several tributaries flowing through the region. Medieval Arab and Persian geographers wrote about Otrar as a significant political, economic, and cultural center that played a key role in the history of Central Asia.

Otrar served as a crucial link along the Silk Road, connecting China with Europe, Africa, and the Arabian Peninsula. Trade caravans passed directly through the city, offering goods from China, Europe, and locally crafted items by Otrar artisans. Alongside trade, the city was also a beacon of scientific and cultural growth, with more than 33 scholars emerging from Otrar, including the famed encyclopedist Abu Nasr al-Farabi.

The city thrived under the rule of the Karakhanids, but in the early 13th century, Genghis Khan’s forces decimated it. For several centuries, Otrar remained desolate until it was revived, eventually becoming a central city in the Kazakh Khanate. The last residents departed only in the 19th century.

Like any medieval Central Asian city, Otrar was divided into distinct areas: the citadel (a fortified center where the ruler’s residence was), the shahristan (the noble district), and the rabat (the craft and trade district where the main population resided). Archaeologists have uncovered entire residential quarters in the shahristan and rabat of Otrar, as well as multiple baths and a pottery workshop in the rabat.

Some believe that Otrar once housed the world’s second-largest library after Alexandria. According to legend, a library founded by al-Farabi held over 33,000 volumes, stored deep underground. Although historians and archaeologists deny evidence of such a library in Otrar, this myth endures, sparking the imaginations of many.

Thanks to extensive restoration work in the 2000s, parts of the city were revived, including the mosque, Berdibek Palace, sections of the fortress wall, and other buildings. The ancient gates of Zharakty and Sopykhan, along with the city’s water systems—including wells and reservoirs—were also restored, allowing these unique monuments to be preserved and accessible for visitors.

Near the archaeological site, a visitor center has been established, offering tourists modern amenities. The center’s second floor houses an exhibition on the city’s history, divided into five key periods: the founding of Otrar (2nd–6th centuries), its golden age (9th–12th centuries), its destruction (13th century), the reconstruction period (14th century), and the Kazakh Khanate era. A hall dedicated to Abu Nasr al-Farabi highlights his legacy and contributions to global knowledge.

Otrar is not just an archaeological site but a living testament to an ancient culture that bridged East and West. The ancient fortress has journeyed from a bustling Silk Road center to a nearly forgotten ruin, and finally to a significant cultural and tourism site. The ruins of Otrar can be visited either independently or with an excursion group. Many travel agencies offer weekend tours departing from Shymkent, about 155 kilometers from Otrar, often including stops at other historic sites in the Turkestan region.

Along the way, be sure to visit the Mausoleum of Arystan Baba, teacher and spiritual mentor of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi.