Ayaz-Kala
Аяз-Қала
Karakalpakstan, Uzbekistan · 41°59′30″N 61°01′30″E
Three mud-brick fortresses from the 4th century BC to the 7th century AD on a hill above the Kyzylkum desert, the largest of the Khorezm desert castles and still without a ticket office.
The Khorezm oasis was ringed by some 50 fortresses guarding the fields against nomads; Ayaz-Kala is the best preserved group. Ayaz-Kala 1, on the hilltop, is a 4th–3rd century BC enclosure with walls up to 10 m high and arrow slits in two tiers. Ayaz-Kala 2, a round fort on a conical hill, dates from the 6th–7th centuries AD. Ayaz-Kala 3, below, was a garrison town. Between them stretches the desert to the horizon.
Toprak-Kala, with a palace excavated by Soviet archaeologists, is 20 km away.
Why it stays quiet
Khiva is the draw; the fortresses are an optional half-day that most tours skip. The yurt camp brings a few overnight guests in spring and autumn.
Where it is
Before you go
No shade and no water at the site. Very hot from June to August. Combine with Toprak-Kala and Kyzyl-Kala in a loop.
Updated 2026-09-06 · Suggest a correction
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