Merv

Merv

Merv, also called Merve Oasis, formerly known as Alexandria, Antiochia in Margiana, was a significant Iranian city in Central Asia, located on the historic Silk Road, near present-day Mary. The site of Merv was occupied by human settlements from the 3rd millennium BC to the 18th century AD. It changed hands several times throughout history, and it has been the capital of several countries. Merv was also a popular pilgrimage site and was considered holy by many religions. According to Zoroastrianism, the land of Merv was one of the 16 perfect lands created by the god Ahura Mazda. From the 5th to the 11th century, Merv was the seat of an eastern Syrian metropolitan province. In the 12th and 13th centuries, Merv was probably the largest city in the world, with 500 000 inhabitants. At this time, it was known as 'Marw al-Shāhijān' and was often referred to as 'the capital of the Islamic world'. Nowadays, the site is preserved by the Government of Turkmenistan as the "Ancient Merv" State Historical and Cultural Park, established in 1987. Located along the historic Silk Road, it is the oldest and best preserved of the Central Asian oasis cities. Some buildings and structures still stand, particularly those built in the last two millennia. The archaeological park includes the remains of Bronze Age centers like Kelleli, Adji Kui, Taip, Gonur and Togoluk, Iron Age centers like Yaz/Gobekli Depes and Takhirbaj Depe, the historic city center and the post-medieval city. UNESCO has listed the ancient city of Merv as a World Heritage Site.