
You might be surprised if you find a small Orthodox church in the middle of Turkmenistan. The town of Bayramali. Church of St. Alexis.

Sultangala is the largest historical part of Ancient Merv. Its name translates to "sultan's fortress" from Turkmen language.

At present, Ancient Merv is a designated State Historical and Cultural Park located near the modern city of Mary in Turkmenistan. Established in 1987, it is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Life for the nomads of Turkmenistan and other Central Asian peoples has long revolved around a single iconic structure: the yurt.

In the average Western history textbook, Central Asia occupies a rather modest position that does not correspond to reality.

Look at the picture of dervishes. Their robes, sewn from hundreds of vivid fabric pieces, are not merely decorative. This is the jubba al-fuqara.

Hidden in the sands of Ahal Province, just 20 km north of Baherden, lies one of Turkmenistan’s most enigmatic archaeological sites — Shahrislam, once known in medieval texts as Fortress Tak-Yazyr.

In the still landscapes of Kaahka district stands the mausoleum of Meane Baba,
a sacred site linked to one of the most influential Sufi mystics of the Islamic world.


