Mary

Mary is the second biggest city in Turkmenistan.
The city of Mary is a modern industrial city with not much to offer. It is, however situated close to the ancient Persian city of Merv, which was the second greatest city of Islam, before it as destroyed by the son of Chengis Khan - Toloi after a massacre over more than a million of its people.
The ruins of the city of Merv are visible at a vast area of land, but there are not many buildings that deserve attention. The most impressive are the remains of the Mausoleum of Sultan Sanjar, which was completed in 1140. Other remarkable buildings are some other mausoleums of rulers and holy men and the fortresses Erk Kala, Gyaur Kala and Sultan Kala.