Turkmenistan, Ashgabat, October 26 / Trend H. Hasanov /
French restorers assisted to preserve unique places of the ancient city of Kunya-Urgench, included in UNESCO World Heritage List.
Work was carried out together with specialists from the Office for Protection, Study and Restoration of Historical and Cultural Monuments of Turkmenistan at two sites. One of them is famous Minaret of Kutlug-Temur. It is an outstanding building of XI centur. The other one is the fortress Ak-Kala in south-eastern outskirts. It remained from the Middle Ages.
Turkmen press reported that the Minaret Kutlug-Timur survived several reconstructions. The most significant one was made in early XIV. The highest minaret in Central Asia was well preserved. Only its upper part was deformed.
French architect-restorers together with Kunya-Urgench's masters completed jewelry work to strengthen brickwork on 60-meter height.
Using advanced technologies and modern methods of conservation, destructive processes at the top of the tminaret were prevented. They will provide reliable protection from rain for many years.
The Fortress Ak-Kala is another monument, which became the theme of professional analysis. Its powerful defensive walls are the only clay construction in the historic city.
But its condition is critical now. The most urgent actions of restorers were taken this year.
Restoration work is being done. After overhaul glaze-like ceramic revetment was made on the cupola of the mausoleum.