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Guldursun Qala

Massive mud-brick fortress near Ellikqala, occupied from the 2nd century BC until the Mongols destroyed it in the early 13th century.

Archaeology2nd century BC

About the place

Guldursun Qala stands near the village of Guldursun in Ellikqala district of Karakalpakstan, north of Turtkul. People lived here from the 2nd century BC to the early 13th century. Its mud-brick walls run for about a kilometre, rise up to 15 metres and enclose roughly 6.4 hectares.

The fortress was rebuilt in the first half of the 12th century, when Khorezm was strong, and was destroyed by the Mongols at the start of the 13th century. A walk along the eroded walls and towers gives a clear sense of the scale of a Khorezmian fortress. Allow about 45 minutes, and bring sun protection, as there is no shade.

Why go

  • Walls up to 15 m high
  • About 6.4 ha enclosed
  • Destroyed by the Mongols in the 13th century

Sources (3)

  1. 1.Wikidata
  2. 2.en.wikipedia.org
  3. 3.uz.wikipedia.org

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