Excursion to the Ancient Fortress of Nisa
On October 15, 2025, an excursion to the State Historical and Cultural Reserve “Ancient Fortress of Nisa” was organized by the club of the Department of Social Sciences “Paýhas we parasat”, together with the Department of International Relations and Diplomacy of the Institute of International Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan.
During the excursion, the special representatives of the the State Historical and Cultural Reserve “Ancient Fortress of Nisa” provided fascinating information about the historical monuments and unique architectural features of the Old Nisa Fortress the city of Mitridatkert (or Mitradatkert), which served as the first capital of the Parthian Kingdom. The teachers of the Institute also elaborated on the importance of Nisa, strategically located along the Great Silk Road, in fostering trade, diplomatic and cultural relations among peoples. They further highlighted the significant role of ancient Parthia, situated between great empires such as Rome and China, in promoting interactions between the East and the West. Afterwards, the discussion related to the historical sites made the excursion even more engaging.
The Parthian Kingdom was a pioneer in pursuing a policy of neutrality and establishing official diplomatic relations among the states that were established by our ancestors. In 107 AD, the first Chinese envoy arrived in Parthia and was reportedly escorted by 20,000 horsemen. The Chinese chronicles describe the friendly relations that ancient Parthia maintained with its neighbors. Visiting the first capital of the Parthian Empire which left a great mark on world history, and seeing this ancient monument with one’s own eyes is truly an unforgettable experience.
The visit to the State Historical and Cultural Reserve “Ancient Fortress of Nisa” which were included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2007, significantly enriched the understanding of our historical heritage of active members of the scientific club “Paýhas we parasat.” We sincerely express our gratitude to our Hero-Arkadag and our Hero Arkadagly Serdar for the great opportunities they have created to develop the talents and abilities of the young generation.
Rejepguly MASHADOV,
the 1st year student of the Faculty of International Relations
of the Institute of International Relations
of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan.