Uly Gyz Gala and Kiçi Gyz Gala — The Palaces of Maidens and Warriors

About This Destination

The Uly Gyz Gala (Great Maiden’s Fortress) and Kiçi Gyz Gala (Small Maiden’s Fortress) are two remarkable architectural monuments located near Ancient Merv, on the right bank of the old Hurmuzfarra Canal, west of Soltangala. Dating back to the 6th–7th centuries, these fortresses — also known as the “Palace of Maidens” and the “Palace of Youths” — are among the rare surviving structures from early medieval Merv.

History

According to legend, beautiful maidens once lived in the larger fortress, while unmarried young men resided in the smaller one. During festive games, if a young man could throw an apple and reach the maidens’ palace, he was allowed to choose his bride. It is said that this tradition gave rise to the invention of the sling, a weapon inspired by those ancient contests of love and skill. Architecturally, Uly Gyz Gala is the larger of the two. Its rectangular base measures 37 × 43 meters, with walls rising 15 meters high. The outer surfaces are decorated with 22 deep vertical recesses on the long sides and 18 on the short sides, resembling powerful columns. Built of mudbricks (34×35×8 cm), the walls are over 2 meters thick, symbolizing both strength and beauty. The smaller fortress, Kiçi Gyz Gala (also called Ýigit Gala, “Young Men’s Castle”), follows similar design principles but on a more modest scale. Its 20-meter sides feature 12 semicircular buttresses, giving the structure a monumental yet graceful appearance. Built from mudbricks (35×35×6–8 cm), its facade rises up to 10 meters, evoking the grandeur of a bygone age. Together, Uly and Kiçi Gyz Gala stand as ancient symbols of romance, craftsmanship, and cultural heritage, linking the legends of love with the architecture of medieval Turkmen civilization.

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