The Fortresses of Ancient Khorezm are a group of archaeological monuments in the vicinity of Urgench and in the territory of the modern Karakalpakstan part of historical Khorezm. For tourists, this is not a single site but a whole series of ancient fortresses, settlements, and cult structures scattered across the desert-steppe landscape. Most of the well-known monuments are located northeast of Urgench, away from modern cities and irrigated lands.

These fortifications are connected with the history of one of the oldest oases in Central Asia, where agriculture, crafts, and trade developed. To protect settlements, warehouses, and administrative centers, powerful walls, towers, and citadels were built from packed clay and mud brick. Despite the fragility of the material, many complexes have retained their recognizable layout, the outlines of defensive lines, and individual sections of walls.

Among the most famous monuments are Ayaz-Kala, Toprak-Kala, Kyzyl-Kala, Janbas-Kala, and Chilpik. Some of these sites belong to the Ellikkala archaeological area, which is often included in routes from Urgench and Khiva. Visiting the fortresses allows you to see how the defense of ancient Khorezm was organized and to better imagine the scale of life in the oases on the edge of the desert.

This destination is especially interesting for those who want to complement a trip around the Khorezm Region not only with urban architecture, but also with archaeological landscapes. Unlike a museum or an individual monument, what matters here are both the ruins themselves and the surrounding area, which helps explain why fortified centers of ancient Khorezm arose in these particular places.