Talkhatan Baba Mosque

Talkhatan Baba is a mosque of the eleventh or twelfth century standing alone in fields near Merv, small, rectangular and built entirely of fired brick, and its significance is the masonry: the walls are laid so that the bricks themselves form the decoration, in bands, lozenges and geometric fields, without tile or plaster. It is one of the better preserved buildings of the Seljuk period in the region and remains in use for prayer.

What you actually see

• The brick patterning - decoration made from the laying of the bricks themselves.
• The Seljuk date - a building of the eleventh or twelfth century still standing.
• The plain plan - a small rectangular hall without added tile or plaster.
• The isolated setting - the mosque standing alone in open fields.

When to go

April to May and September to October are the comfortable months. Summer heat is severe. Visits should avoid prayer times.

Honest expectations

The building is small and half an hour covers it. It is an active mosque, so access is not always possible. There is no interpretation on site.

Nearby

Merv is northwest, and Mary is north.