City and Steppe. Symbol of nomads
The nomadic Great Steppe had an obvious impact on the development of all mankind. It is no coincidence that UNESCO declared Genghis Khan the man of the second millennium.
Oddly enough, even in such a seemingly far from nomadic farming business as the construction of cities, the nomads also succeeded. It is worth noting that the largest city of the Middle Ages in Europe is recognized as the city of Sarai - the capital of the Golden Horde. But this article is about another city that is no less significant for the steppe peoples - Otrar.
Otrar. Symbol of Turkic civilization
The Otrar State Archaeological Museum-Reserve has become the main research center and repository of archaeological values found during the excavations of a unique historical monument - the Otrar settlement, which for more than 200 years played the role of an economic and trade center of the region.
Kazakhs have a special reverence for Otrar. This is a symbol of the ancient prosperity of the Turks, an image of the interaction between the city and the steppe.
Indeed, medieval Otyrar was an example of the amazing development of urban culture. The city not only actively developed crafts, trade was brisk, and original structures were erected. A rich library, public baths, and a sewage system functioned here.
Otrar is not just the ruins of an ancient city. This is a symbol of the flowering and power of the Great Steppe. The brightest philosopher and writer Abu Nasr Al-Farabi, who is called the "second Aristotle", comes from here.
The museum-reserve is one of the largest historical centers of the republic. It consists of 4 archaeological monuments of republican significance and 216 archaeological monuments of local significance. These include the ancient cities of the Otrar oasis: Otrartobe, Kuyryktobe, Kokmardan, Altyntobe, Aktobe, Zhalpaktobe and other historical monuments.
The Otrar settlement is located 155 km from the city of Shymkent, the museum-reserve itself is located in the village of Shaulder, 20 km from the settlement.
Turkestan region, Otrar district, Shaulder village, Zhibek Zholy avenue, 1 +7 (7254) 42 11 50, +7 (705) 704 72 72
otrarmuseum.kz