Great Kyz Kala | |
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![]() The Great Kyz Kala.[1] | |
General information | |
Type | Castle |
Architectural style | Sasanian |
Town or city | Merv |
Country | Turkmenistan |
Coordinates | 37°39′18.18″N 62°09′09.21″E / 37.6550500°N 62.1525583°E |
The Great Kyz Kala is a large fortress in the ancient city of Merv, now in Turkmenistan.[1] The fortress belongs to the köshk or kushk type: an earthen building built on a raised platform, with exterior wall formed of large vertical engaged columns (a series of octagonal half-columns) having the aspect of large corrugations.[2][3] These fortresses are equipped with internal palatial rooms, often decorated.[2] It occupied an area of 1,569.84 square metres (16,897.6 sq ft).[4]
The construction date is rather uncertain, with some authors arguing for an early 6th to 7th century date, attributing it to the Sasanian Empire (224–651).[5] It is also attributed to the 8th/9th century CE, corresponding to the Umayyad or Abassid period.[2][6]
The Great Kyz Kala was an elite palatial suburban residence, perhaps meant for the use of the governor of Merv.[2] It remained in use until the Seljuks as a function room.[5]
A smaller fortress nearby is the Little Kyz Kala.[3]