Ayaz-Kala

Ayaz Kala (Khorezm, Ouzbékistan) (5608879653) - Ayaz Kala UZ Ayaz Kale a3 - Ayaz Kala (Khorezm, Ouzbékistan) (5609461924) -

Ayaz Kala (also spelled Ayaz Qala) and Toprak-Kala are archaeological sites in the autonomous republic of Karakalpakstan in Northern Uzbekistan.

Introduction

Ayaz Kala is on the wastern side of the Sultan-Uiz-Dagh Mountains. The site consists of three fortresses which were built from the 4th century BCE to the 7th century CE. The fortresses were part of a series of forts at the edge of the Kizilkum Desert, which provided defence against raids by nomads and the Saca of the Syr-Darya delta

The World Monuments Fund has put Ayaz Kala on the watch-list of 100 most endangered sites.

Travel to Ayaz-Kala

Ayaz Kala is easily accessible by vehicle from Khiva and Urgench via Biruni and Buston. Ayaz Kala is about 70 kilometers from Urgench on a bitumen road. The last 2 km are on a sand road to the Ayaz Kala Yurt Camp. There are numerous foot paths between the sites. It is about 32 kilometers from Ayaz Kala to Toprak-Kala.

Transportation in Ayaz-Kala

• Toprak-Kala
• Ayaz Kul Lake
• Badai Tugai Nature Reserve

What to See

Ayaz Kala 1

A fortress dating back to end of the 4th or beginning of the 3rd century BCE. In this time Khorezm had become independent from Persia. Ayaz Kala 1 was part of a chain of fortresses protecting the agricultural settlements from attacks by nomads. The fortress is located on the top of a hill, approx. 100 m high, providing wide views over the surrounding plains. The fortress is rectangular in plan with sides 182 and 152 m long. The main axit is oriented from South to North.

At the southern end of the axit is a square gateway, which is a typical element of frontier fortresses of Khorezm. The enemies' approach lies parallel to the south east walls and invaders were vulnerable to attack from above. A massive gateway defended by two rectangular towers leads into a small rectangular chamber. This chamber was overlooked on all sides by high walls from which bowmen could shoot at the enemy in case the first gate was breached.

The enclosure of the fortress consists of an inner and outer wall with a vaulted corridor between them, about 2 m wide. The walls continue above the vaults, forming a protected rampart walk. The walls are up to 10 m high and at their base 2.2 to 2.4 m thick. The walls are reinfoced in the 3rd century BCE by 45 watchtowers in half elliptical form, at a distance from each other of 11.5 m at the northern and of 14 m at the eastern and Western sides.

The fortress seems to have been in use until the 1st century CE and might have served as a refuge for the local residents up to the early medieval period.

Ayaz Kala 2

A feudal fortress dating from the 6th to 8th century CE. in the Afrighid period. It was built on the top of a conical hill, about 40 m high, situated south west of Ayaz Kala 1. The fortress consists of the entry on the south Western side and the main building which is oval in shape.

In the 6th to 8th century CE Khorezm was ruled by the Afrighid dynasty of Khorezmshahs. At this time the "dihqans", a new class of feudal landowners came into existence. They were descendants of the ancient nobility, courtiers or soldiers who had been rewarded for military services. Their agricultural estates were called "rustaq". They lived in "donjons", small square forts neighbored by a defensive wall. An important example calles Yakke Parsan is located 10 km south of Ayaz Kala.

Ayaz Kala 2 was built of rectangular mud bricks on a foundation of "paksha" (cob). The upper parts of the outer walls were crenulated. The building was fortified with low battlements and a row of arrow slits. Ayaz Kala 2 had a 50 m long sloping man-made staircase on the southern side of the fort.

The main building is considered as a palace with residential quarters, ceremonial halls with ceilings supported by multiple columns and a fire temple, luxuriously decorated with wall paintings. This building seems to have been the residence of an feudal lord loyal the Khorezmshah. The building was built in the 4th century CE and destroyed by two separate fires. The palace was in use during the 6th and 7th cent AD as a domestic dwelling. Ayaz Kala 2 seems the have been the center of a small rural community and might have been in use until the Mongol invasion in the 13th century CE.

Parts of the film Gengiz Khan were shot on Ayaz Kala 2. The best view of the site is from the top of Ayaz Kala 1. The best pictures of Ayaz Kala 1 and 2 are taken at sunset.

Ayaz Kala 3

A fortified garrison dating from the 1st to 2nd century CE. The monumental building in the north east corner may have been founded in thr 5th or 4th cent. BC: The site covers an area of about 5 hectares.

The enclosure wall is one of the largest fortresses in Karalpakstan. Ayaz Kala 3 is 66 percent larger than Ayaz Kala 1. The biggest of these fortresses is Akcha Khan Kala, which is three times larger than Ayaz Kala 3. It has the shape of a parallelogramm with sides 260 m and 180 m long. The structure of the external wall is similar to Ayaz Kala 1. The external walls are 7.5 m wide. The circular watch towers have a size of 8 meters. The fortress was builit with paksha in the lower parts and masonry in the upper parts. made of adobe blocks. The entrance to the fortress on the Western side consists of an S-Shaped extension of the external wall. The interior of the fortress is empty.

The monumental buildings in the north east corner cover an area of 2,400 m². The building has 40 rooms divided into 4 groups by 2 central corridors. There are remains of a narrow corridor on three sides of the buildings. The southern and eastern walls have square watch towers, about 2m x 2m.

It is supposed that Ayaz Kala 3 was used in Kushan times as a garrison or as a ruler's residence and refuge for the local farming population and that a small force used Ayaz Kala 1 as a lookout post.

Toprak-Kala

• Toprak-Kala - Tuproq qal'a | 41.927,60.823 - An archaeological site in the autonomous republic of Qaralpakstan in Eastern Uzbekistan. It is an excavated town dating back to the 1st to 5th century CE and is considered as the most important monument on Chorezm from the Kushan time. Its ground plan is 500m x 300m and it was neighbored by a wall made of bricks, 10 to 15 m high. The King's Palace in the northwestern part of the town was built on an elevated base rising about 15 m above the rest of the town. Three monumental towers, 25 m high, still exist. In front of the palace was the temple area with the holy fire. The town was divided by streets into several neighborhoods with blocks of dwellings with 150 to 200 rooms. The Kings's Hall covered an area of 280 m². The wall paintings and monumental clay sculptures were the works of a school of arts which could develop a particular Chorezmian style under the influence of Graceo-Bactrian art. The rooms of the palace had colourful wall paintings. The fortress is considered as the palace of the shah of Chorezm. In the ruins of Toprak Kale a great number of Kushan and Chorezm coins dating from the 2nd to the 5th century and small copper discs with portraits of the rules of Chorezm and written documents on wooden plates or on skins the most ancient documents in this area, were found.

Muslim Travel Tips

The land around the fortresses is owned by Ayaz Kala Tours. They run the Ayaz Kala Yurt Camp, organise tours to the fortresses, camel rides as well as boat excursion and bird watching on Ayaz Kala Lake.

eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to Ayaz-Kala

Ayaz-Kala - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to Ayaz-Kala, is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Ayaz-Kala. This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in Ayaz-Kala and its surrounding regions.

With the steady growth of Muslim tourism worldwide, eHalal Travel Group recognizes the importance of providing Muslim travelers with accessible, accurate, and up-to-date information to support their travel aspirations to Ayaz-Kala. The Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide is designed to be a one-stop resource, offering an array of invaluable information on various travel aspects, all carefully curated to align with Islamic principles and values.

The Travel Guide encompasses a wide range of features that will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for Muslim visitors to Ayaz-Kala. Key components include:

Halal-Friendly Accommodations in Ayaz-Kala: A carefully selected list of hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals that cater to halal requirements, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming stay for Muslim travelers in Ayaz-Kala.

Halal Food, Restaurants and Dining in Ayaz-Kala: A comprehensive directory of restaurants, eateries, and food outlets offering halal-certified or halal-friendly options in Ayaz-Kala, allowing Muslim travelers to savor local cuisines without compromising their dietary preferences in Ayaz-Kala.

Prayer Facilities: Information on masjids, prayer rooms, and suitable locations for daily prayers in Ayaz-Kala, ensuring ease and convenience for Muslim visitors in fulfilling their religious obligations.

Local Attractions: An engaging compilation of Muslim-friendly attractions, cultural sites such as Museums, and points of interest in Ayaz-Kala, enabling travelers to explore the city's rich heritage while adhering to their values.

Transport and Logistics: Practical guidance on transportation options that accommodate Muslim travel needs, ensuring seamless movement within Ayaz-Kala and beyond.

Speaking about the launch, Irwan Shah, Chief Technology Officer of eHalal Travel Group in Ayaz-Kala, stated, "We are thrilled to introduce our Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide in Ayaz-Kala, a Muslim friendly destination known for its cultural richness and historical significance. Our goal is to empower Muslim travelers with accurate information and resources, enabling them to experience the wonders of Ayaz-Kala without any concerns about their faith-based requirements. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to creating inclusive and memorable travel experiences for all our clients."

The eHalal Travel Group's Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Ayaz-Kala is now accessible on this page. The guide will be regularly updated to ensure that Muslim travelers have access to the latest information, thus reinforcing its status as a reliable companion for Muslim travelers exploring Ayaz-Kala.

About eHalal Travel Group:

eHalal Travel Group Ayaz-Kala is a prominent name in the global Muslim travel industry, dedicated to providing innovative and all-inclusive travel solutions tailored to the needs of Muslim travelers worldwide. With a commitment to excellence and inclusivity, eHalal Travel Group aims to foster a seamless travel experience for its clients while respecting their religious and cultural values.

For Halal business inquiries in Ayaz-Kala, please contact:

eHalal Travel Group Ayaz-Kala Media: info@ehalal.io

Ramadan Celebrations in Ayaz-Kala

Ramadan 2025 in Ayaz-Kala

Ramadan concludes with the festival of Eid al-Fitr, which may last several days, usually three in most countries.

The next Ramadan shall be from Friday, 28 February 2025 to Saturday, 29 March 2025

The next Eid al-Adha shall be on Friday, 6 June 2025

The next day of Raʾs al-Sana shall be on Thursday, 26 June 2025

The next day for Mawlid al-Nabī shall be on Monday, 16 September 2024

Muslim Friendly Hotels

• Ayaz Kala Yurt Camp - US$60 per person incl. three meals of dishes of Karalpak, Kazakh and Uzbek cuisine, camel ride US$6 per person Access from Khiva and Urgench is via a pontoon bridge over the Amu Darya River. The yurts are on a hill about 30 meters high. The ancient fortresses of Ayaz Kala are nearby. The yurts can accommodate 20 to 25 persons.

Where to travel next from Ayaz-Kala

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