Mary located in the southeastern part of Turkmenistan, which is one of the most significant cities in the country, both historically and culturally. Modern Mary is built near the ancient city of Merv, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that was once an important Great Silk Road hub and a thriving center of learning, trade, and the arts.
The history of Mary is inseparable from that of ancient Merv, one of the oldest oasis cities in Central Asia. Merv was originally founded around the 6th century b.c.e during the Achaemenid Empire. Over the course of its long history, it was ruled by various empires, including the Parthian, Sassanid, and later Islamic caliphates. By the 12th century, during the Seljuk Empire, Merv had grown into one of the largest and most influential cities in the world, renowned for its libraries, architecture, and vibrant intellectual life. Some historians even consider it the largest city in the world during this period.
Today, Mary, is an important cultural and economic center of Turkmenistan. It continues to honor its historical heritage, and the ruins of Merv remain one of the most important archaeological sites in Central Asia.
