Overview:

Astana Cemetery - Mary in Turkmenistan is a gravesite located in the northern Mary Velayat region of Turkmenistan, more commonly known as Mary or Merv. This historical cemetery dates back to the Islamic period when Merv was a major trading hub in Central Asia. The cemetery features mostly Islamic tombstones, some with intricate carvings, as well as a few Christian graves. Within the cemetery there are also a few monuments and structures, including the Imam Abu Serayre mausoleum, a 15th century structure built in and around the cemetery. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Turkmenistan
Prominent Features:

The Astana Cemetery in Turkmenistan is a prominent graveyard site associated with the historic city of Mary (Merv). It is thought to be the largest single ancient necropolis in Central Asia, home to over 40,000 tombs and mass graves. The cemetery features a variety of elaborate tomb structures, steles, funerary sculptures, and mural paintings. Preserved at the graves site is a series of richly ornate tombs from the Islamic Seljuqi era, offering an excellent example of eastern Islamic art. In addition to Islamic tombs, some graves have signs of Christian, Manichaean, and Buddhist funerary customs. The Astana Cemetery has been a site of ongoing archeological research and restoration since the 1980s. This national monument of Turkmenistan portrays the history and culture of the country.

History:

Astana Cemetery is one of the oldest and largest cemeteries in Turkmenistan, located in Mary (formerly Marya), Turkmenistan. It was founded in 1717 and has been used for centuries by the Turkmen people. The cemetery is divided into two parts: the first part is the older section known as the Old Astana Cemetery, which is where the burial of famous people, government officials, and ancestors of the local population is carried out. The second part is the New Astana Cemetery, which started to be used from the late 18th century onwards. The cemetery is home to a variety of tombstones, monuments, and mausoleums of several historical figures from the past and present. One of the most notable people buried in the cemetery is the late Alexander The Great, a general who conquered much of the world in the 4th century BC. Other prominent figures buried in the cemetery include Taraf Noorzad, who fought for the independence of Turkmenistan in the 1920s; political activist Nurmuhammet Mopet; and religious leader Murad Gokdemirov. The cemetery also serves as the final resting place for many of Turkmenistan's cultural and natural heritage sites, such as a stone mosque from the 11th century, and the Astana Stone, which is a monument that commemorates a hero of Turkmen history. Astana Cemetery is also a popular tourist attraction, as it has a wide variety of monuments, sculptures, and buildings on site, including a clock tower which stands at the entrance of the monument. The cemetery also includes several small gardens and fountains, which help to create a tranquil atmosphere. Astana Cemetery is a historic site that offers a great insight into the history and culture of the Turkmen people. It is a place of pilgrimage for many who come here to pay their respects to their loved ones and honor their ancestors. You must visit one of these historical places in Turkmenistan on your Turkmenistan tour

Interesting facts:

1. Astana Cemetery is located in Mary, Turkmenistan. 2. Astana Cemetery is home to an array of historically significant tombstones, including that of the 19th century Turkmen leader, Mollamuhammad Babayev. 3. The outer walls of the cemetery feature ancient Turkmen designs, including the sun-shaped symbol used to describe the Turkmen people. 4. The Astana Cemetery is considered to be the largest graveyard in all of Central Asia, covering a massive 200 hectares of land. 5. Much of the Astana Cemetery is still left in its original state, as the graves are usually marked with small rocks and without any major structures. 6. The Astana Cemetery is a popular tourist attraction and is part of the cultural heritage of Turkmenistan. 7. The cemetery offers plentiful symbolism, with large, high-status tombs frequently placed close to the entrance of the graveyard. 8. The oldest tombs in the Astana Cemetery date back to the 18th and 19th centuries. 9. The cemetery is graveyard to many people, but the Turkmen government also allows for deceased animals to be buried in the plot of land. 10. The Astana Cemetery is now home to several memorials dedicated to the victims of the Karakum Canal disaster, which happened in 1989. Visit one of the famous monuments of Turkmenistan with your friends and family.