NISA, TURKMENISTAN

Entrance to Nisa

Nisa

Alternative name : Parthaunisa, Mithradatkirt and Nusaý

Location : Ashgabat, Turkmenistan

Coordinates : 37°58′0″N 58°11′42″E

Type : Settlement

History

Abandoned : first decade BC

Periods : Parthian Empire

Cultures : Parthian

Associated with : Arsaces I, Mithridates I

Site notes

Condition : Ruined

UNESCO World Heritage Site

Official name : Parthian Fortresses of Nisa

Criteria : Cultural: (ii), (iii)

Reference : 1242

Inscription : 2007 (31st session)

Area : 77.9 ha (0.301 sq mi)

Nisa (also Parthaunisa, Turkmen: Nusaý) was an ancient settlement of the Parthians, located near the Bagyr neighborhood of Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, 18 km southwest of the city center. Nisa is described by some as the first seat of the Arsacid Empire. It is traditionally assumed to have been founded by Arsaces I (reigned c. 250 BC–211 BC) and was reputedly the royal residence of the Parthian kings, although it has not been established that the fortress at Nisa was either a royal residence or a mausoleum.

In 2007, the fortress was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

History :

Nisa was a major trading hub in the Parthian Empire. Nisa was later renamed Mithradatkirt Parthian: ("fortress of Mithradates") by Mithridates I of Parthia (reigned c. 171 BC–138 BC). The region was famous for the fast and beautiful horses.

Nisa was totally destroyed by an earthquake, which occurred during the 1st decade BC.

Excavations :

Excavations at Nisa have revealed substantial buildings, mausoleums and shrines, many inscribed documents and a looted treasury. Many Hellenistic art works have been uncovered, as well as a large number of ivory rhytons, the outer rims (coins) decorated with Iranian subjects or classical mythological scenes.

Nisa seen from its western end

Gallery :

Views of Nisa wall

View of Nisa gate

Oblique view of Nisa ruins

View of Nisa ruins

A second century BC helmet with hellenistic influences protects the head of a Parthian warrior from Nisa

Source :

https://en.wikipedia.org/
wiki/Nisa,_Turkmenistan