🏛️ Merv (Ancient City)
Turkmenistan
About This Sacred Site
Merv, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in southeastern Turkmenistan, was one of the great cities of the ancient world and at times the largest city on Earth. A vital Silk Road oasis, Merv hosted Buddhist, Christian, Zoroastrian, Manichaean, and Islamic communities over its 4,000-year history. The site includes the Sultan Sanjar Mausoleum, one of the finest Seljuk-era monuments, and remains of numerous mosques, churches, and temples. The city was devastated by the Mongols in 1221, resulting in one of history's most catastrophic massacres.
Key Facts
- •UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999
- •One of the largest cities in the world in the 12th century
- •Hosted Buddhist, Christian, Zoroastrian, and Islamic communities
- •The Sultan Sanjar Mausoleum is a masterpiece of Seljuk architecture
- •Devastated by the Mongol invasion of 1221
Location
Coordinates: 37.6625, 62.1697
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