Talkhatan Baba Mausoleum

Situated in the medieval village of Talhatan, approximately 30 kilometers from Old Merv, the Talhatan-Baba Mosque stands as a remarkable testament to Central Asian architecture. Constructed in the late 11th century, this extraordinary monument is especially notable for its exceptional state of preservation. Unlike many other historical sites, the mosque was mysteriously spared from destruction by the Mongols—a puzzle that continues to intrigue historians.

The structure of the Talhatan-Baba Mosque is almost a perfect rectangle, distinguished by its simplicity and lack of the traditional canopies typically found in mosques. Three sides of the building are solid, windowless walls, while the fourth side, the façade, features three arches—a large central one flanked by two smaller ones on either side. These arches visually divide the building into three sections, adding to the overall harmony of the design. This sense of balance is further enhanced by the uniform ornamentation that decorates both the interior and exterior walls, showcasing the creativity and skill of the craftsmen who used only fired bricks for the entire construction.

In the 1950s, the mosque underwent a detailed examination by the architect Anna Maksimovna Pribytkova. She noted that the structure is a slightly elongated building measuring 18 by 10 meters, featuring a dome-covered mihrab space and two side wings. The pointed niche of the mihrab is framed by a rectangular border, adding to the architectural elegance.

Today, the Talhatan-Baba Mausoleum is recognized as an authentic masterpiece of Seljuk architecture. Its harmonious proportions continue to captivate both pilgrims and tourists, who marvel at this preserved gem from a bygone era.