Guldursun-Kala

Ancient fortress in Uzbekistan, built in the 12th century CE
41°41′35.1″N 60°58′53.4″E / 41.693083°N 60.981500°E / 41.693083; 60.981500TypeSettlementHistoryPeriodsParthian, SasanianSite notesConditionRuined

Guldursun-Kala, also Guldursun Qala, in modern Karakalpakstan, Uzbekistan, was an ancient fortress in Chorasmia built in the 12th century CE.[1] It is one of the largest fortresses of Khwarezm, with perimeter walls of about 1 kilometer in total length, and an internal area of about 6.4 hectares (64,000 square meters, or 15.8 acres).

It is part of the "Fifty fortresses oasis" in modern-day Uzbekistan.[2] It was last occupied by Muhammad II of Khwarazm (1169, 1200-20), before it fell to the Mongol conquest of the Khwarazmian Empire.

  • Interior panorama of Guldursun-Kala
    Interior panorama of Guldursun-Kala
  • Arrow-shaped arrowslit and merlons, walls of Guldursun-Kala
    Arrow-shaped arrowslit and merlons, walls of Guldursun-Kala
  • Location of the Guldursun-Kala fortress in the Chorasmian oasis, in relation to other main fortresses
    Location of the Guldursun-Kala fortress in the Chorasmian oasis, in relation to other main fortresses

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Guldursun-Kala.
  1. ^ Ducke, Isa; Thoma, Natascha (2015). Usbekistan (in German). Dumont Reiseverlag. p. 385. ISBN 978-3-7701-7739-4.
  2. ^ Adrianov, Boris V.; Mantellini, Simone (31 December 2013). Ancient Irrigation Systems of the Aral Sea Area: Ancient Irrigation Systems of the Aral Sea Area. Oxbow Books, Limited. p. 38. ISBN 978-1-78297-167-2.
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