Ayaz Kala 2, a photo from Nukus, West

Photographer's Note

Both photos are best opened in a new tab for better detail.

Here is the third of the less visited sites that we visited in the autonomous republic of Karakalpakstan in the west of Uzbekistan. This time one other TE member has posted a photo quite a few years ago.
This is Ayaz Kala (also spelt Ayaz Qala) a group of 3 forts constructed with mud on raised land on the edge of the Kyzylkum Desert. Depending on what you read it dates from either the 2nd century or over the 4th to 7th century. The purpose was to defend against marauding nomads.
The complex lay abandoned for about 1300 years until rediscovered in 1940. The main access is by that track that you can see.
In the workshop is a less cropped version showing old carts in the foreground. In that photo you can see that there is actually a bitumen road leading to it.

Fis2, holmertz, jhm, PaulVDV, PiotrF, adramad, mcmtanyel has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

Silvio1953 (220717) 2020-06-28 22:43

Ciao Ian, great view of fascinating ruines of fantastic fortifications, excellent clarity, splendid light and wonderful colors very well done, my friend, ciao Silvio

jemaflor (146382) 2020-06-28 23:01

Hi Ian,
Well presented with this panoramic format, interesting ruins, nice warm tones, tfs.

SteveH (8220) 2020-06-28 23:04

Hi Neighbour, I like the pano style crop you've used on this image, emphasizing the size of the fort. The WS image is good too; can't decide which i prefer. Cheers, Steve

emka (157280) 2020-06-29 0:03

Hello Ian, Here it is clearly visible that these are the ruins of the fortress and not just rocks. Very interesting place. I see that there is a path leading to the ruins. I went by shard taxi to Nukus, we stopped only for photos from the road. Pity we haven't seen these Kalas.
Best regards MAlgo

Fis2 (169847) 2020-06-29 0:34

Witaj Lan!
A very interesting place, view is impressive.
Excellent panorama framing and colors.
Well done.
Good evening.
Krzysztof

Royaldevon (85674) 2020-06-29 3:54

Hello Ian,

Having a penchant for strong f/g images, I do prefer the w/s but that is not saying I dislike this. They are both fine shots, revealing the extent of the fort and its dominant position.
I find it fascinating that these buildings have been lost and forgotten for centuries and then can be recorded by modern cameras!

The pathway is very helpful for assessing the scale as well as a guide.

Have a good day,
Bev :-)

holmertz (102066) 2020-06-29 4:48

Hello Ian,
I like both photos but I rather prefer the WS because of the old carts making such a nice foreground. In both photos we se that this is quite an impressive fortress and well worth a visit and a few pictures.
Regards,
Gert

jhm (211734) 2020-06-29 6:27

Hello Ian,

A nice panoramic view about the landscape
What a lovely picture in big format on my big screen
Lovely picture with nice light blue sky.
Very well done, TFS.

Best regards,
John.

rychem (72187) 2020-06-29 6:44

A really interesting place, it's hard to believe it's 13 centuries old, I like these two-wheeled carts in WS
regards Ryszard

PaulVDV (62810) 2020-06-29 8:41

Hello Ian,
The scenery on both pictures is superb.
Yet I have a little preference for the one in the WS because I like the depth created by the carts in the foreground.
An extraordinary place to visit!
Best regards, Paul

ktanska (44492) 2020-06-29 10:05

Hi Ian,
Interesting ancient fortification in desert like environment. Erosion has made edges more round, but it is amazing how well this has stood times well over 1000 years. Of course I like the workshop too.
Kari

PiotrF (54246) 2020-06-29 12:19

Hello Ian,
Interesting view of group of 3 forts constructed with mud, unique place.
I like good quality, nice details, good composition and nice color.
Fine presentation.
Regards
Piotr

Tue (91658) 2020-06-29 13:44

Hello Ian,
Great photo from a distance showing the forts. They look good against the blue background and the contrast with the yellow right in the foreground is wonderful too.
Lars

adramad (72592) 2020-06-30 3:08

Hello Ian.
Superb the remains of this fortress, well located on top of the hill, a very arid landscape surrounds it. Nice photo also that of the WS, in a more open plan.
You have a good day.
Very best regards.
Luis.

mcmtanyel (67757) 2020-07-08 21:31

Hello Ian,
This looks beautiful in full size. 👍🏻👍🏻 It looks like a very interesting place.
Regards,
MT