Serakhs

Located in the Akhal region of Turkmenistan, close to the Iranian border, Serakhs is a significant settlement in the region, serving as the center of the Serakhs etrap. While modern Serakhs resembles more of an urban-type community than a bustling city, it is strategically located at the heart of the Serakhs Oasis, upstream along the Tedjen River. This area, including both Serakhs and Old Serakhs, along with other historical and architectural landmarks within the oasis, has been part of a historical and cultural reserve since its establishment in 1991.

Serakhs is recognized as one of the oldest cities in Central Asia. Its origins date back to the Eneolithic period, around the 4th millennium BC, when the first settlements emerged in the oasis. By the first millennium BC, Serakhs became a part of the Achaemenid Empire. Evidence of this era includes a hill surrounded by several ancient burial mounds, which once formed part of a Persian fortress. The city flourished until the arrival of the Arabs in Central Asia, during which time Serakhs fiercely resisted but ultimately succumbed to destruction. For centuries following this devastation, Serakhs remained uninhabited until the Takhirid dynasty began to resettle the area. It was during the Seljuk dynasty’s rule that Serakhs experienced its golden age, becoming a vital trade center in Central Asia due to its strategic location at the crossroads of major trade routes. However, the city’s prosperity came to an abrupt end with the Mongol invasions. Like many cities in the Khwarazmshah state, Serakhs was utterly destroyed by the Mongols, leaving behind only ruins. Today, these remnants are known as «Old Serakhs,» marking the site of the ancient city. The modern settlement of Serakhs began to develop in the late 19th century, specifically in 1884, following the annexation of Turkmen lands by Russia.