| Great Kyz Kala | |
| Location Town: | Merv |
| Location Country: | Turkmenistan |
| Coordinates: | 37.6551°N 62.1526°W |
| Map Type: | Continental Asia#Turkmenistan |
| Relief: | yes |
| Building Type: | Castle |
| Architectural Style: | Sasanian |
The Great Kyz Kala is a large fortress in the ancient city of Merv, now in Turkmenistan. The fortress belongs to the köshk or kushk type: an earthen building built on a raised platform, with exterior wall formed of large vertical engaged columns (a series of octagonal half-columns) having the aspect of large corrugations.[1] These fortresses are equipped with internal palatial rooms, often decorated. It occupied an area of 1569.84m2.[2]
The construction date is rather uncertain, with some authors arguing for an early 6th to 7th century date, attributing it to the Sasanian Empire (224–651).[3] It is also attributed to the 8th/9th century CE, corresponding to the Umayyad or Abassid period.[4]
The Great Kyz Kala was an elite palatial suburban residence, perhaps meant for the use of the governor of Merv. It remained in use until the Seljuks as a function room.[3]
A smaller fortress nearby is the Little Kyz Kala.[1]