In the territory of the medieval settlement Talkhatan, that is situated 30 kilometers from Old Merv, there is an old mosque Talkhatan baba in the local cemetery. This outstanding monument of the Central Asian architecture was built at the end of XI century. The special value of the construction is well preservation of this historical monument, which was not destroyed by Mongol yoke. Why – it remains a mystery.
The building presents almost regular rectangular, here are no traditional for mosques skids. Three sides of the building are blank walls, and only fourth side, being a façade, is decorated even with three arches, a large – in the center and two smaller on the sides. The arches visually divide the building into three sections, that gives the structure additional harmony. The ornament of walls enhances this impression— homogeneous both inside and outside, and demonstrating the creativeness and fantasy of the masonry master. The burned brink was used for the building decoration.
In 1950th the mosque was investigated in details by the architect Anna Maksimovna Pribytkova. The scientist woman stated that the structure presents a slightly elongated building 18 x 10 meters, with the under the dome space of mikhrab (prayer niche) and two curtains on the sides. The lancet niche of the mihrab is inscribed in a rectangular frame.
The Talkhatan baba mosque is recognized as a real masterpiece of the Seljuk architecture and at present it excites the pilgrims and tourists with the with the harmony of promotions.
