Kazakhstan: Otrar Fortress
Otrar was at a major crossroads point along the ancient Silk Road founded around the 7th century AD. The town was abandoned and lay in ghostly ruins, slowly being swollen by sands. But the recent restorations brought back the old fortress with its massive clay walls and gates, a spectacular (albeit a bit too modern-looking) site. Otrar fortress is a typical Central Asian fortress layout – a pentagon with slow pong walls and massive gate towers. Archaeological research is ongoing with some settlements dating back to 1st century AD recently unearthed.
