Overview:

is a nearly perfectly shaped minaret in Konye-Urgench, Turkmenistan, also known as the Tower of Death. This minaret is the main attraction of Konye-Urgench, an ancient city that has a rich and long history. It was built under Khorezm ruler Mamun II by Giyasiddin Iltötars in 1221. The Minaret is one of the tallest and largest minarets in the Islamic world, reaching a height of 45 meters (148 feet). The walls are covered with intricate geometric and floral patterns and inscriptions. The columns of Mamun II Minaret are decorated with traditional Turkmen motifs. The building is made of burnt brick and in its structure the elements of an oriental palace are combined with the traditions of brick architecture of Central Asia. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Turkmenistan
Prominent Features:

The Mamun II Minaret is the tallest and most prominent feature of Konye-Urgench, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Turkmenistan. Dating from the 11th century, the granite minaret is 73 metres tall and is located near the entrance of the old city. The Mamun II Minaret has been well preserved since its construction, and is decorated with ornate brickwork and muqarnas (stalactite-like structures). Its exact purpose is unclear, although some believe that it was used as a watchtower and beacon for the city. The minaret also serves as a symbol of Konye-Urgench and its glory days, when the city was a center of Islamic culture and learning. This national monument of Turkmenistan portrays the history and culture of the country.

History:

The Mamun II Minaret is situated in the ancient Silk Road city of Konye-Urgench, in northwestern Turkmenistan. The minaret was built during the 11th century by Mamun II, the nephew of Sultan Sanjar, who famously also built the mausoleum of Sultan Sanjar in Merv. Originally standing at 66 meters in height, the Mamun II Minaret is one of the tallest brick structures in the world. The size and scale of the minaret make it among the most impressive structures at the site. The minaret was constructed by local brick masons using a local technique called qamishgban, which involves the use of a single layer of bricks that are turned inside out to form a conical shape. The minaret is decorated with highly ornate geometric and floral designs in the tradition of Persian architecture. The compositions are not only simple in their beauty, but they also reflect many of the artistic and cultural traditions of the time as the monolithic structure was built for an important sultan. The Mamun II Minaret is an important symbol of the Islamic architecture period in Central Asia and has served as a symbol of Konye-Urgench for over a thousand years. Its presence has been memorialized through numerous paintings, photos, and historical accounts. Many of these works also depict the minaret as a beacon of hope and spiritual importance for the people of the region. Today, the Mamun II Minaret stands as a monument to an era of Islamic culture that is still remembered in the nearby city and far beyond, and it is still as beautiful and impressive as it was during the 11th century. It is also a reminder of the unique history and culture of modern Turkmenistan. You must visit one of these historical places in Turkmenistan on your Turkmenistan tour

Interesting facts:

1. The Mamun II Minaret, part of the former capital of the ancient kingdom of Khoresm, is one of the highest minarets in Central Asia and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 2. The minaret was built in the 12th century by Sultan Mamun II and is one of the few monuments that survived the Mongol conquest of the city in the 13th century. 3. Built from sun-dried bricks, the minaret stands at a height of 44.6 meters (146 feet) making it the tallest minaret in Central Asia and one of the tallest minarets in the world. 4. Its design is unique in that it was built in an octagon shape rather than the usual cylindrical shape. 5. The top of the minaret is decorated with blue and yellow ceramics. 6. It is believed to have been used by the muezzins to call the faithful to prayer five times each day. 7. Konye-Urgench (also known as Gurganj) flourished during the 11th to 16th centuries but was destroyed by the Mongol onslaught in the 13th century. 8. It was an important Silk Road trading post connecting China, Egypt, Istanbul, the Caucasus, and Persia. 9. The city is known for its monuments which have survived the ravages of time and is the only city in Central Asia that still has buildings dating back to the 11th century. 10. At one time, the city was believed to have had as many as 400 Islamic monuments including mosques, madrassas, mausoleums, and palaces. Visit one of the famous monuments of Turkmenistan with your friends and family.