Nisa Fortress

　　Nisa Fortress consists of two groups of mound-like ruins—old and new—showcasing the earliest and most significant urban sites of the Parthian Kingdom. The Parthian Kingdom was a major power from the mid-3rd century BC to the 3rd century AD. Over nearly two millennia, this site has remained almost entirely undisturbed, preserving an excavated ancient civilization that skillfully blends traditional cultural elements with those of Greece and Western Rome. Archaeological excavations at both sites have uncovered richly decorated buildings that demonstrate their functions in domestic, civic, and religious contexts.

　　Excavations have been ongoing within the royal citadel, now known as “Old Nisa.” The site also includes an ancient town referred to as “New Nisa.” Old Nisa is a 14-hectare earthen mound in the shape of an irregular pentagon, surrounded by a defensive rampart equipped with over 40 rectangular towers, each reinforced by sturdy bastions at the corners. New Nisa covers 25 hectares and is enclosed by a nine-meter-high wall with two entrances. Located at the crossroads of important commercial and strategic hubs, the Nisa archaeological site vividly illustrates the interaction between the cultural influences of Central Asia and the Mediterranean on a great empire. It served as a key hub for communication and trade between East and West, North and South, while also blocking Roman expansion. This site bears witness to the empire’s significance, wealth, and culture.