The delegation of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom visited the Nisa State Historical and Cultural Reserve located in the outskirts of the Turkmen capital. The American guests took great interest in the magnificent ruins of the residence of the Parthian kings in Old Nisa, which along with the fortresses of New Nisa located nearby had been inscribed this year on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

At present, the international Turkmen-Italian expedition is carrying out the archeological excavations on a less-studied construction in the historical site. Professor of University of Turin Carlo Lippolis, field director told the guests about the specifics of the unique architectural ensemble used for four centuries – from II century A.D. till early III B.C. as the necropolis of the Arsakid dynasty. The temples excavated there produced profound impression on the guests, who noted the high level of the archeological excavation and conservation work.

The guests visited the ruins of the Seyit Jemalladdin Mosque in Anau. Several years ago the joint Turkmen-American project aimed at preserving the tile mosaic depicting dragons once adorning the portal of the XV century architectural monument, which had been destroyed during the 1948 earthquake and now displayed at the Museum of Fine Arts of Turkmenistan, was successfully implemented. The guests noted the thoughtful scientifically-based approach to preservation of historical monuments the Turkmen architects and restorers took when conserving carefully the original monuments in compliance with the international standards and UNESCO principles.