Yzmykshir Fortress: Historical and Cultural Heritage of Northern Turkmenistan

In the Jumush Desert, among the Urgun lands, architectural monuments of the ancient Dashoguz region stand out: Gutlug Timur Minaret, the mosques of Torebeg Khanum, Nejmeddin Kubra, Mahmyt Zamakhshar, and the shrine of Ashyk Aydyn. Research findings indicate that artifacts discovered here fully prove that our ancestors were a highly cultured people.

One of the most famous historical monuments in Dashoguz region is the Yzmykshir Fortress. Despite centuries of wear and partial destruction, the remnants of its high walls still impress with their scale. The fortress is located between the villages of Yagtylyk and Yzmykshir in Gorgogly District, with the village of Yzmykshir nearby.

Historical sources note that the ancient city, once famous as "Zamakhshar," was a major center of science, culture, and trade. Its location along the Great Silk Road contributed to the city’s prosperity and global recognition. The city had caravanserais, inns, libraries, pavilions, and mosques. During the era of the Great Seljuk state, Yzmykshir flourished even more. Today, Yzmykshir Fortress is a state-protected historical and cultural monument, attracting hundreds of tourists and historians annually. In Turkmenistan, historical monuments and great scholars of the past are highly valued, with continuous efforts to study, preserve, and promote them worldwide.