Mary (Turkmen: Mary), formerly known as Merv until 1937, is a city in southern Turkmenistan and the administrative center of Mary Province. It is named after the ancient city of Merv, one of the most important cities in Central Asia during antiquity and the Middle Ages. The archaeological remains of ancient Merv are part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, State Historical and Cultural Park “Ancient Merv”.
Ranked as the fourth-largest city in Turkmenistan, Mary is located in the southeastern part of the Turan Lowlands, within the fertile Murghab Oasis at the delta of the Murghab River, which originates in Afghanistan. The city is bordered to the south by the Karakum Canal and serves as a major hub for both rail and road transportation. According to the 2010 census, Mary had a population of 126,141. As of April 2021, the city was led by Mayor (Hakim) Amanmyrat Mailiyev.
Mary was established in 1884 as a Russian military-administrative center on the site of a Tekke fortress, about 30 km west of the ruins of the ancient city of Merv, which dates back to the middle of the 1st millennium BCE. Known historically as Margiana or Margush, the ancient settlement was Persian-speaking for centuries before the population gradually transitioned to Turkmen in the 17th century due to migration and assimilation.
The history of ancient Merv is closely connected with the development of early civilizations, regional trade, architecture, and cultural exchange along the Great Silk Road. For additional historical information, see the official UNESCO description of Ancient Merv.
In 1884, during General Mikhail Skobelev’s Turkestan campaign, Merv and the surrounding Murghab Oasis were peacefully annexed to the Russian Empire after negotiations led by M. Alikhanov-Avarsky. Disguised as a merchant, Alikhanov convinced the elders of Merv to accept Russian rule, avoiding bloodshed. On January 25, 1884, representatives from Merv submitted a formal request to General A.V. Komarov in Ashgabat, marking the city’s incorporation into Russia. Alikhanov was subsequently appointed the first governor of Merv.
Following its annexation, Merv became part of the Transcaspian Region. From February 6, 1890, it served as the center of the Merv District within the Transcaspian Region.
On August 7, 1921, the Transcaspian Region was renamed Turkmen Oblast, and Merv became the administrative center of the Merv District within the Turkmen Oblast of the Turkestan ASSR. On December 4, 1924, it was designated the center of the Merv District within the newly formed Turkmen SSR. In 1937, Merv was officially renamed Mary.
During this period, Mary hosted the 18th Turkmen Red Banner Mountain Cavalry Division until 1941. On November 21, 1939, it became the provincial capital of Mary Province. After a brief dissolution of the province in 1963, Mary regained its status as a provincial capital in 1970.
The Mary-2 Airfield housed the 156th Fighter-Bomber Aviation Regiment of the 34th Air Division.
After Turkmenistan gained independence on May 18, 1992, Mary became the capital of Mary Province. The city underwent significant modernization in the 2000s, with extensive urban development and infrastructure projects. Key constructions included a new airport terminal, the Mary State Energy Institute campus, a theater, a regional library, a history museum, and various healthcare centers such as the Ene Myahri Medical Center and the Diagnostic Medical Center.
Mary also boasts major religious and cultural landmarks, including the Gurbanguly Hajji Mosque and the Ruhiyet Palace. In 2012, Mary was named the Cultural Capital of the CIS. By 2014, industrial growth included the opening of an ammonia and urea production complex, a gas-turbine power plant, and a multi-functional shopping center. In 2015, the city was recognized as the Cultural Capital of the Turkic World.
Mary is situated on the southeastern Turan Lowlands within the Murghab Oasis, surrounded by the Karakum Desert and the Karakum Canal to the south.
The city experiences a continental desert climate, characterized by dry conditions and significant temperature variations. Travelers planning a trip to Turkmenistan should consider the region's hot summers and relatively cold winters when choosing travel dates.
Mary continues to evolve as a modern city with rich historical roots, offering a unique blend of cultural heritage and economic development. Its location makes it a useful base for exploring the nearby archaeological sites of ancient Merv and other historical attractions in southern Turkmenistan.
As of 2017, Mary’s population was approximately 120,000. According to the 1998 census, the city had 94,000 residents. By 2005, the population grew to 100,000, and by 2017, it neared 120,000. The city’s demographic composition includes primarily Turkmens, with smaller communities of Russians, Tatars, and Armenians.
Mary is an important industrial center with several key facilities, including:
The machine-building plant produces powerful centrifugal oil pumps, which are distributed across CIS countries and exported to over 20 other nations.
The city also houses factories specializing in wool washing, spinning and weaving, garment production, carpet weaving, confectionery, and furniture. Additionally, it is home to a brewery and a dairy plant.
Mary serves as the gas industry hub of Turkmenistan. Located 19 km from the city is the Mary Hydroelectric Power Station, the country’s largest, with a capacity of 1.25 million kW. It operates on gas from the Shatlyk field and generates over 80% of Turkmenistan's electricity.
The city also boasts a printing house.
Mary is renowned for its handmade and machine-made carpets. Each type—Tekke, Salor, Yomud, and Ersari—features distinct patterns and colors. The Merv Oasis, now Mary Province, is the birthplace of the world-famous Tekke carpets, preserving the ancient traditions of Turkmen carpet weaving. Traditional Turkmen carpets are an important part of the country's cultural heritage and are valued for their geometric patterns, craftsmanship, and distinctive regional designs.
The Mary Horse Breeding Farm is known worldwide for raising the elite Akhal-Teke horses, a breed prized for its beauty and endurance. The Akhal-Teke is closely associated with Turkmenistan and is one of the country's best-known cultural symbols.
Mary is a major transportation hub, thanks to the Trans-Caspian Railway, constructed between 1880 and 1896 under the direction of Russian General Mikhail Annenkov. This railway connects Turkmenbashi (formerly Krasnovodsk) to Tashkent, with a branch line extending from Mary to Kushka, completed by 1900.
The city features a modern bus terminal with a capacity of 500 passengers per hour, a reconstructed railway station (2003), and a new airport capable of handling 300 passengers per hour. The airport’s 3,500-meter runway accommodates aircraft weighing up to 400 tons. Local transportation includes municipal buses, minibusses, and taxis.
Mary is home to several educational institutions, including public schools, lyceums, colleges, and specialized schools such as a pedagogical college, a medical college, and an arts college. The city also hosts the Turkmen State Energy Institute.
Cultural amenities include:
Mary has a vibrant sports scene, featuring a youth sports school and the Merv Football Club, which competes in Turkmenistan’s top league. The Merv Stadium has been recognized for its outstanding organization of championship and cup matches. Additionally, the city has a Central Indoor Swimming Pool (built in 2005) and the Sport Toplumy Stadium, opened in 2009 with a capacity of 10,000 spectators.
Mary has numerous monuments, including tributes to Turkmen poets and educators Mollanepes, Kemine, and Makhtumkuli. Other notable landmarks include:
One of the main reasons visitors travel to Mary is its proximity to ancient Merv, a major historical destination on the Silk Road. The archaeological site is officially recognized by UNESCO and contains remains from several historical periods. More details are available on the UNESCO World Heritage Centre website.
Just 30 km east of Mary lies Bayram-Ali, home to ancient Merv’s archaeological and architectural treasures, such as:
Travelers interested in these historical attractions can explore the DOCA TOURS Day Tour to Merv, which focuses on the ancient city's archaeological remains and major monuments. For a longer archaeological experience, the Ancient Civilizations of Turkmenistan tour includes ancient Merv and the archaeological site of Gonur Depe.
During the Afghan War (1979–1989), the nearby Mary-1 and Mary-2 airfields served as bases for Soviet bombers conducting missions in Afghanistan. The city also hosted the 8th Interregional School for Sergeant Training of the KGB Border Troops, with a focus on preparing cavalry units for border patrols.
Mary has a pretrial detention center (SIZO-5) with a capacity of 400 inmates and a strict-regime labor colony (ITK-6) that houses up to 800 prisoners.
Mary is an excellent starting point for exploring the ancient history of southern Turkmenistan. Visitors can discover archaeological sites, historic mausoleums, ancient fortifications, traditional Turkmen culture, and important landmarks associated with the Great Silk Road.
Explore our Mary destination guide, learn more about ancient Merv, or choose a guided day tour to Merv. Travelers interested in a wider itinerary can also consider Turkmenistan’s Top Treasures, the Turkmenistan’s Ancient Legacy Tour, or the 12-Day Uzbekistan–Turkmenistan Adventure Tour.
For more information about Turkmenistan's destinations and travel opportunities, visit the DOCA TOURS Turkmenistan destination page and the official UNESCO page for Ancient Merv.
