Kunya Urgench (also spelled Konya Urgench or Old Urgench) is an ancient city located in present-day northwestern Turkmenistan, near the border with Uzbekistan. It was once a prominent centre of the Khorezm region and played a key role in the history of Central Asia due to its strategic location along the Silk Road. Today, the ruins of Kunya Urgench are a UNESCO World Heritage Site, preserving its historical significance.
Kunya Urgench’s roots date back to the Achaemenid era (6th century BC), making it one of the oldest settlements in the region. By the 10th century, the city had become a major centre of the Khorezm Empire, which controlled much of Central Asia.
The city also flourished under the Khorezmian dynasty. It became a political and cultural centre, famous for its trade, science and architecture. Scholars, including the famous polymath al-Biruni, worked here, contributing to the city’s reputation as a centre of learning. At this time Kunya Urgench became one of the most populous cities in the world.
However, Kunya Urgench suffered devastation in 1221 when the Mongol Empire, led by Сhenghis Khan’s son Jochi, laid siege to the city.
The city suffered another decline when Timur (Tamerlane) attacked Kunya Urgench and destroyed it in the late fourteenth century. This marked the final end of its prominence. The Amu Darya River, whose waters sustained the city, changed course around the same time, contributing to its desolation.
