TURKMENISTAN - Abiverd

The ruins of Abiverd are located between Ashgabat and Mary (in the vicinities of Kushka). Ancient Abiverd ( under different names - Baverd, Abaverd, Paart, Pavart, Peshtak) was one of the major centers of Northern Khurasan repeatedly mentioned in written sources as " … a city with fertile lands and rich crops, famous for its magnificent market and mosque". At that time Abiverd was an impregnable fortress protecting the townspeople from the attacks of nomads. The fortress had the only gate from the southwest. Inside, in the center, next to the square there was a mosque erected in the early 15th century.

During the rule of Caliph Osman in the year of 652 Abiverd became the "apple of discord" for various Arabian caliphs. During the Abbasids Abiverd was under Khurasan. Abiverd was governed by such notorious dynasties as Takhirids, Saffarids, Samanids. In the 12th century Abiverd surrendered to Mongols. The eldest son of Ghengiz Khana - Tulikhan - literally razed the blossoming protected by powerful fortifications city to the ground.