Trip Planner:   Asia  /  Turkmenistan  /  Mary Province  /  Mary  /  Gyaur Kala

Gyaur Kala, Mary

4.3
#1 of 21 in Historic Sites in Turkmenistan
Ruin Tourist Spot Must see
Explore the mysterious ruins of the former Gate to Central Asia at Gyaur Kala, the oldest and best preserved oasis city on the Silk Road, and a World Heritage Site. Spanning 4,000 years of human history, the archeological site has a walled area covering 20 ha (49 ac). Claimed to have been the largest city in the world in the 12th century, the ancient metropolis has layers of civilizations, including Persian, Hellenic, Arab, Seljuk, Mongol, and Khiva, with the most intriguing stone structure being the Zoroastrian "gawurgala," or infidel’s fortress. Located near the Murghab River some 30 km (19 mi) west of Mary, the site also features a well-preserved mausoleum of a Seljuk sultan. To get a greater sense of the history, hire a local guide, who'll help you make sense of these massive eroding pillars and abandoned stone structures. Use our Mary online trip itinerary builder to arrange your visit to Gyaur Kala and other attractions in Mary.
Create an itinerary including Gyaur Kala
© OpenMapTiles © OpenStreetMap contributors

Tours to Gyaur Kala

Silk Route Tour (Uzbekistan-Kazakhstan-Turkmenistan-Kyrgyzstan) 10N-11D BOOK WITH VIATOR FROM $3,550
Duration: 11 days
Buy tours from $3,550

Gyaur Kala reviews

Rate this attraction
TripAdvisor traveler rating
TripAdvisor traveler rating 4.5
101 reviews
TripAdvisor
  • By PandaHouston
    We visited on November 1 as part of a 3 day / 2 night tour with Owadan Tours (they are a great tour company and I have a separate review). The weather was cloudy and they were spots of rain...  more »
  • By Andrew M
    We visited Merv as a day trip from Ashgabat by plane. We spent 3 hours on the site but realised that we had missed some important attractions, so it is critical that you do some research before...  more »
See more on TripAdvisor »

Plan your trip to Mary

  • Get a personalized plan

    A complete day-by-day itinerary
    based on your preferences

  • Customize it

    Refine your plan. We'll find the
    best routes and schedules

  • Book it

    Choose from the best hotels
    and activities. Up to 50% off

  • Manage it

    Everything in one place.
    Everyone on the same page.

Popular things to do in Mary

©
National History and Ethnology Museum
2.3
Duration: 1 hour
©
Gurbanguly Hajji Mosque
3.4
Duration: 1 hour
Pokrovskaya Church
2.3
Duration: 1 hour
©
Gonur Depe
4.1
Duration: 1h 30 min
Don't Miss a Thing. See & Do More.

Plans to Gyaur Kala by other users

45 days in Turkmenistan BY A USER FROM ITALY September, popular sights Preferences: September Attraction style: Popular sights Pace: Medium 4 days in Mary BY A USER FROM UKRAINE July, outdoors, beaches, wildlife, slow & easy, popular & hidden gems Preferences: July, outdoors, beaches, wildlife Attraction style: Popular & hidden gems Pace: Slow & easy 59 days in Asia BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES September, culture, outdoors, relaxing, beaches, historic sites, wildlife, popular & hidden gems Preferences: September, culture, outdoors, relaxing, beaches, historic sites, wildlife Attraction style: Popular & hidden gems Pace: Medium 57 days in Europe & Asia BY A USER FROM THE NETHERLANDS June, popular sights Preferences: June Attraction style: Popular sights Pace: Medium 15 days in Turkmenistan BY A USER FROM INDIA May, popular sights Preferences: May Attraction style: Popular sights Pace: Medium 13 days in Turkmenistan BY A USER FROM GREECE July, popular sights Preferences: July Attraction style: Popular sights Pace: Medium
See more plans