History

In 1219, Otrar fell due to the offensive of Genghis Khan’s army. But it was rebuilt, and in the middle of the XIII century it became one of the largest centers of trade between East and West. One of the magnificent palaces of the Karakhanid dynasty adjoined the city. Science, medicine, education and trade flourished here. The city attracted scientists, poets, musicians, writers and sages and included: madrasah mosques, forges, large shopping bazaars and baths. The famous Amir Temir died in one of the Otrar palaces in 1405. The city existed until the XVIII century as one of the major cities of the Kazakh Khanate. .Drought became the main reason for the death of the city, as people began to leave these parts in the XIX century. The remaining ruins of the city are located in the south of the country in the village of Talapty. Here, in the vicinity of Turkestan, camels roam past the ancient settlement, as if they remind of the former greatness of the city, when Otrar was the center of trade and was at the intersection of caravan routes.                                                                           

Modern Day

Archaeological excavations of Otrar began in 1969 and archaeologists found mosques, a bathhouse, city blocks and a palace. Now an open-air museum has been erected at the archaeological site.

Here tourists explore the ruins of the ancient city Otrar — the bazaar, mosques and residential areas. Many wells have been preserved from the ancient city, and the ground is everywhere dotted with fragments of pottery, the history of which dates back hundreds of years.

The name of the world–famous Amir Temir is associated with Otrar, since it was by his order that the mausoleum was erected in honor of the great mentor and teacher Khoja Ahmed Yassavi – Arystan Baba. This mausoleum has become one of the main attractions in the city, and to this day pilgrims from all over the world come here.

How to get

You can get to the ruins of Otrar by train from different cities of Kazakhstan, first get off the Timur railway station, which is next to the village of Talapty, then use taxi services, since the ruins themselves are 10 km away. from here. You can also rent a taxi, minibus or bus as a group and come directly from the cities of Shymkent (about 1.5 hours on the way) and Turkestan (about 0.5 hours on the way).