Sauran sounds almost like the devilish character Sauron from the movie "Lord of the Rings" but in fact, it is an ancient ruin city in Southern Kazakhstan. Although Peter Jackson made J. R. R. Tolkiens legendary world become alive in New Zealand, you might find out that a part of Middle Earth could as well have been in Kazakhstan. At least it seems like Middle-earth when you are standing alone in the Kazakh steppe surrounded by this ancient history fortress. It gives you the feeling that Sauron and his Nazgûl are right behind the next corner like in the fortress of Amon Sûl.
Here a short history excursion: The city of Sauran was a famous stop along the ancient silk road first mentioned in the 10th century. It was a widely developed city, built of mud bricks with high protection walls, several mosques and striking buildings. It seems that the city has been a popular trading place with a big marketplace in the middle of it. Sauran became the capital of the Mongol White Horde after they decided to not destroy this city in their destruction race on the way to Europe. Later it became a fortress of Timors empire. Why it was suddently abandoned, nobody really knows that. Probably because the city of Turkestan gained more and more importance.
Today there is not much left from the former glory. However, the ruins of this old trading city are not less impressive. The place of the historic city is a huge areal and covers around 1km in total. Most imposing are the high walls which surround the city, the stairways to be found all over the city and the ruins that clearly where once houses and buildings. It is only thanks to the dry climate that the fortress of Sauran has not completely disappeared yet.
You find this amazing site in the middle of the steppe around 40km north of Turkistan in direction of Kyzyl Orda. There is no sign which leads you to the fortress so just look out for the big walls in the distance or ask a local. There is also no touristic infrastructure at the sight like description signs, staff or even a fee to pay. You probably will be there all alone which makes it an even more mystic and awesome place to visit.
Go and see it now before the sand of the Kazakh steppe devours it completely (or it is saved by the authorities).
The city of Sauran was a famous stop along the ancient silk road first mentioned in the 10th century. It was a widely developed city, built of mud bricks with high protection walls, several mosques and striking buildings. It seems that the city has been a popular trading place with a big marketplace in the middle of it. Sauran became the capital of the Mongol White Horde after they decided to not destroy this city in their destruction race on the way to Europe. Later it became a fortress of Timors empire. Why it was suddently abandoned, nobody really knows that. Probably because the city of Turkestan gained more and more importance.
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