Sarakhs
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- This article is about the city in Iran. For the twin town across the border in Turkmenistan see Saraghs.
Sarakhs (Persian: سرخس) is both a city and also a 8407km² district of Razavi Khorasan Province, Iran. Sarakhs town was once a stopping point along the Silk Road, and in its 11th century heyday had many libraries and a famous school of architects. Much of the original city site is now just across the border at Saraghs in Turkmenistan. According to Khorasan Miras, in 1997 the population of the district was 73,604[1].
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[edit] History
According to Ferdowsi's Shahnameh the town has existed since the Afrasiab period and was named for its builder, Sarakhs, son of Godarzby Keykavus. Turkmen historians consider the city to have been founded over 2500 years old[2]. The Mongols plundered and destroyed Sarakhs in 1220, but it was rebuilt in mid 19th century by the order of Nasser-al-Din Shah of the Qajar dynasty. For its first fifty years or so, this resurrected city was thus known as known Nasser's Sarakhs (in Persian:Sarakhs-e Nasseri, سرخس ناصری) and was a principally feudal town.
[edit] Geography
Sarakhs' weather is cold in winter, warm and dry in summer thanks to the influence of the Gharaghoroom desert.
[edit] Landmarks
The main historical site of Sarakhs is the partly-restored Loghman Baba mausolem in a field just north of the town. It was built in 1356AD (757AH).
In Sarakhs district within 80km of Sarakhs town are
- Bazangan lake
- Mazdavand cave and reservoir
- Friendship Dam
- Robat Sharaf Caravanserai
- Khatun Bridge (five-arched stone bridge between Iran and Turkmenistan)
[edit] Transport
Since 1996 the railways of Iran and Turkmenistan have been linked here, although a bogie exchange is needed to overcome a break of gauge.
[edit] References
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