Kunya-Urgench

Kunya-Urgench, also known as Keneurgench, is a city steeped in history, with its origins tracing back to the 3rd to 1st centuries BCE. References to this ancient city can even be found in the Avesta, the sacred text of Zoroastrianism, where it is referred to as Urva or Urga. Strategically positioned on the route of the Great Silk Road, Kunya-Urgench was known to the Chinese as Yue-gan, despite being located within the borders of the Khorezm state. In the 8th century, the city fell to the Arab conquerors, who renamed it Gurganj. It was during this period that the ruler of Khorezm chose Gurganj as his royal residence, sparking a population shift that soon made the city the second most significant in the region, surpassed only by Bukhara.

The early Middle Ages marked a period of cultural prosperity for Gurganj. As a key hub at the crossroads of major trade routes, the city flourished as a bustling marketplace. It also became an intellectual center, attracting renowned scholars such as Abu Ali ibn Sina (Avicenna) and Abu Rayhan Beruni, who worked at the famed Mamun Academy. It was here that Ibn Sina began writing his monumental works, The Canon of Medicine and The Book of Healing.

Throughout its history, Gurganj was coveted by various powers. It was ruled by the Mamunids and the Anushteginids before falling to the great conqueror Genghis Khan in 1221. Genghis Khan’s invasion left Gurganj in ruins, its grandeur devastated. In the 14th century, the city came under the control of the Uzbek Khan, a Sultan of the Golden Horde. The traveler and merchant Ibn Batuta, who visited during this time, described Gurganj as the largest of the Turkic cities.

However, the city’s fate took another tragic turn in 1388 when Tamerlane invaded. His campaign against Gurganj was relentless, and after several months of fierce fighting, the city was nearly obliterated. The destruction was so severe that most of its inhabitants abandoned it, and Gurganj, once a thriving metropolis, began its long descent into obscurity.

It wasn’t until 1831 that people began to return to the area, driven by the construction of the Khan-Yab waterworks. In 1924, Kunya-Urgench was transformed into a Soviet settlement, becoming part of the Turkmen SSR. The village was renamed Keneurgench in 1992, and in 1999, it was finally granted city status, marking a new chapter in the long and storied history of this ancient city.

The historical treasures of Kunya-Urgench are primarily concentrated in its Old Town, a site proudly recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage location. This ancient city once served as a pivotal stop along the Great Silk Road, and today, several remarkable structures from the 11th to 16th centuries still stand as testaments to its rich past.

One of the most prominent landmarks is the Kutlug-Timur Minaret, constructed in the 14th century. Renowned for its height, which ranges between 60 and 62 meters according to different sources, it is the tallest minaret in Central Asia. Originally part of a grand mosque that has since been lost to time, the Kutlug-Timur Minaret remains a striking symbol of the city’s historical splendor.

Another significant site is the mausoleum from the 14th century, which houses the remains of Tyurabek-khanym, the daughter of the Uzbek Khan. This mausoleum is notable for its exquisite dome, adorned with a unique mosaic panel featuring intricate floral and star patterns. This particular ornamentation is considered unparalleled in its design and artistic execution.

The Kyrk-molla Fortress stands as the most ancient monument in Kunya-Urgench, dating back to the 3rd-2nd centuries BCE. Initially known by a different name, this fortress was repurposed in the 13th century by a city ruler who envisioned it as a scholarly palace for 40,000 mullahs, or learned individuals.

Additionally, visitors to Kunya-Urgench should explore the medieval remnants of Ak-kala, the minaret of Mamun from the 10th-11th centuries, and the mausoleum of Khorezmshah Il-Arslan, built in the 12th century. These sites, among others within the city, offer a rich tapestry of architectural history.

Given the relatively small number of historical sites that have survived through the ages, each one is a valuable window into the past, making it well worth a thorough exploration.