ELLIK KALA OR THE "FIFTY FORTRESSES"..

In this region of Khorezm to the east of its first capital, Kath, formed a network of fortified citadels defending the territory while enriching their position on trade routes and on the border of the nomadic worlds. Their military and commercial role was broken by the Mongolian tornado, but their many ruins left behind still scattered the desert of their enigmatic forms carved by centuries of erosion. The archaeological team of Professor Tolstov was born and explored more than sites dating from the th century before our age until the th century after the th century. Only about sites abandoned in the desert were searched, others wait for them to wake up. Since 1972, the kolkhozes have colonized these desert steppes and come closer to ancient cities to identify them, as is the case for Toprak Kala. Unfortunately, they use the walls of enceinte to fertilize the desert… most of the fortified cities of Du are in Qoraqalpoghiston or Turkmenistan. Starting from Uzs or Ourgentch, a great Day is enough to see half a dozen in the Berouni area. Further distances, such as Ayaz Kala or Jampik kala, require more time. If you leave Uzs, there is a great chance that the taxi driver will know the way to have it with other tourists. If you leave Ourgentch, be more suspicious, you may lose time with a more loose driver than you yourself, to find, after hours of research, in front of a small pile of land and pieces of bricks: there are around sites scattered around the ancient Amu Darya courses, in a distance far from the straight line.

Gouldoursoun. 40 km from Berouni towards Tourktoul. A first site surrounded by walls of wall is called the little Gouldoursoun. The big Gouldoursoun is 10 km along the same road. Fortresses controlled and protected irrigation canals. A legend tells how the daughter of the dekhan who reigned on the city fell in love with one of the enemies who besieged the city and how she betrayed her own by leaving the army into the walls. The unfortunate was then abandoned by his lover and the city fell into the hands of the enemies. The same legend is told in Mizdakhan, the ancient city near.

Toprak. About kilometres from Berouni. A ruined fortress dating from the first century B.C. became a regional capital under the Kouchans, in the th century, it underwent repeated attacks by the Huns Hephtalites who, by destroying irrigation channels, were right for the royal city. In the life of the century, she went into oblivion. Led by Professor Tolstov, archaeological excavations began just before the Second World War. The frescoes that were discovered there are in St Petersburg today; The Hermitage Museum has phagocyté or protected, according to interpretations, most of the testimonies of the ancient cultures of Central Asia. However, a collection of objects, found on the sites of Fouille by Igor Savitsky, is exhibited at the Musée museum. Here, in Toprak Kala, you can still see the traces of the many pieces and gardens of the Royal Palace, including the hall of kings, the ballroom and the black guard hall, and imagine what the temple of worshippers of the fire or the large clan houses gathered under one roof of the families of more than members. At 3 km from Toprak Kala, the high walls of Kyzyl Kala were housed in the old fortress.

Koi Krilgan Kala. About kilometres from Toprak Kala, south-east. The most famous archaeological sites with Toprak Kala. A large circular citadel, fire temple where funeral rituals were used and used as an observatory. Dated th century BC in the fourth century of our era.

. Kala. miles from Toprak Kala, direction Kyzyl Kum. . Kala is probably one of the most impressive sites. The ensemble consists of two perched citadels on hills of different heights. At the foot of the hills there are traces of homes and irrigation. The ruins offer an admirable view of the surrounding desert and Sultan Uvays mountains. The citadels kept a good part of their walls. From spring, you can eat lunch or even sleep under yurts installed behind citadels: Camping Ayazqala, contact Karimberdieva Dilbar Ziyatdinovna, tel: 221 07 07 or 350 59 09, e-mail: [email protected]).

Kirkiz. Even more enfoncé in the desert, the site, which dates back to the th century BC, is saved by kolkhozes. Photogenic ruins.

Djampik. kilometres from the entrance of the Bala Tugaï nature reserve. From the th-century fortified town, there are still large sections of the wall and part of the apartments of the dekhan. Such huge sculptures stand in the vastness of the banks of the Amu Darya, dominating the desert on one side and Bala Tugaï forest on the other. By way of cutting, we can appreciate the technique of constructing the walls, made of land and bricks between which were planted layers of straw. A strength that did not save the citadel of destruction, but which allows its ruins to keep still standing seven centuries later. If you go to August, you may have the chance to see the unique occupants of the citadel, eagles coming to nest between wooden poles that go beyond walls. The first role of these poles was that convicts were placed there. A truly superb desolation, which inspired the sculptor Joldasbek Koumimouratov, the most famous artist of La and companion of Savitsky, who wanted to make it a city of artists. Dreams are what they are, and the ruins remained abandoned. If you cross someone in the fortress, ask him for news from the black rock knocking behind the walls in the centre of the citadel. According to warned observers, it grows from year to year with approximately five fingers left out. One of the mysteries of the desert…

Chilpik. In the vicinity of the village of Bestam, one hundred kilometres from Berouni. Perched on a hill, the walls of Chilpik Kala dominate the desert steppe. Round of silence or fire fortified post dating from the second in the th century. This fortress can be easily visited if you go to, from which it is perfectly visible, left of the road.