Archaeology · Ellikqala District
Toprak Kala
The palace city of ancient Khorezm’s kings
Archaeology · Ellikqala District
Kyzyl Kala
A small fortress of the 1st–4th centuries CE close to Toprak Kala. Rebuilt in the 12th century, it has recently been partly reconstructed to show how an ancient fort originally looked.
Photo: Prof. Mortel · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Then and now
Kyzyl Kala lies about 25 km north of Beruniy and some 3 km west of Toprak Kala. Sergey Tolstov first described it scientifically in 1938. Built in the 1st–4th centuries CE, it probably served as an outwork defending Toprak Kala, and it was restored in the 12th century under the Khorezmshahs.
A modern restoration programme has rebuilt part of its walls to show what an ancient Khorezmian fort looked like, so unlike its eroded neighbours Kyzyl Kala appears whole and almost new — an approach that divides specialists.
It is a standard stop on any trip to Toprak Kala: compact enough to walk round in half an hour, with a view from its walls to Toprak Kala’s High Palace platform.
Sources (3)
Photos
Archaeology · Ellikqala District
Ayaz Kala
Three fortresses above the Kyzylkum
Archaeology · Beruniy District
Akchakhan Kala
The capital before Toprak Kala
Pilgrimage site · Beruniy District
Sultan Uvays Bobo Complex
One of Karakalpakstan’s great shrines
Archaeology · Ellikqala District
Guldursun Kala
One of Khorezm’s largest fortresses — and a princess’s tale
Archaeology · Turtkul District
Koi Krylgan Kala
The round temple of ancient Khorezm
Nature · Beruniy District
Lower Amu Darya Biosphere Reserve (Badai-Tugai)
The great refuge of the Bukhara deer
Archaeology · Qoraozak District
Jampyk Kala
A medieval river port on the Amu Darya