Mary

Mary, the fourth largest city in Turkmenistan, is home to over 200,000 residents today. Nestled in a vast oasis amidst the desert, this city was established by Russian military forces in 1884, near the site of ancient Merv, a city with a rich history spanning over two millennia. Merv was once a thriving cultural hub, inhabited by illustrious figures such as Omar Khayyam, Al-Khwarizmi, Enveri, and As-Samani. Today, Mary is a key city in Turkmenistan, primarily known for its extensive cotton production and as a crucial center for the country’s gas industry, which forms the backbone of Turkmenistan’s economy.

Mary boasts a collection of unique museums that offer a deep dive into the region’s cultural heritage. The Turkmen Carpet Museum, for instance, showcases the exquisite craftsmanship of local artisans, with carpets featuring distinct patterns and designs from the Tekin, Ersarin, Iomud, and Salor tribes, each with its own unique identity passed down through generations. The city’s Historical Museum also houses an impressive array of archaeological artifacts, providing insight into the area’s rich past. Additionally, Mary is home to a renowned stud farm where the Akhal-Teke horse, one of the world’s most prestigious breeds, is carefully bred and raised.

The city also encompasses the «Bayramali» protected historical and architectural zone, which includes ancient cities that once served as the capitals of Merv. Among the most fascinating are Gyaur-Kala (3rd century BC – 8th-9th centuries AD), which features the remains of an ancient Buddhist monastery and a Christian church; Sultan-Kala (9th-12th centuries); Erk-Kala (1st century BC); Abdullahan-Kala (15th century); and Bayramalikhan-Kala (18th century).

One of Mary’s most iconic landmarks is the Mausoleum of Sultan Sanjar (1118-1157), a towering 40-meter structure crowned with a remarkably well-preserved dome, a testament to the architectural prowess of its time.

For those with a penchant for history, Mary offers additional sites of interest, such as the ancient fortress of Shazriar-Ark, the remnants of Kyz-Kala‘s fortress walls, and a variety of ancient mausoleums and mosques that are sure to captivate even the most seasoned traveler.

The city also hosts the Intercession Church, an Orthodox church constructed in 1900, featuring traditional Russian-style red brick architecture. Just outside the city lies the Talkhatan Baba Mosque-Mausoleum, dating back to the 11th century, which has remarkably retained much of its original structure.

Another significant religious site is the Gurbanguly-Hadji Mosque, the principal mosque of Mary Velayat. Constructed in 2009 from pristine white marble, the mosque was named after Turkmenistan’s President, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, and is adorned with four towering 63-meter minarets.

Nearby Mary, the ancient settlement of Durnali offers a glimpse into the past with its well-preserved structures from the 9th-12th centuries, although the settlement itself has roots that stretch back even further. Archaeologists have unearthed coins dating from the 2nd-1st centuries BC within the settlement. Close to Durnali, about 2 kilometers away, lie the remains of Akuyli-Koushuk Castle, with its first floor, constructed from mud brick in the Middle Ages, still largely intact. Even the layout of the rooms remains discernible, offering a tangible connection to the distant past.