The Kirk Kiz Fortress (Qirqqiz qal’asi), meaning “Forty Girls Fortress,” is one of the most intriguing and mysterious historical monuments in southern Uzbekistan. Located just outside the ancient city of Termez, this enigmatic structure dates back to the 9th-10th centuries during the Samanid dynasty. Part palace, part fortress, and possibly part spiritual retreat, its true purpose remains a subject of debate among historians. The fortress is most famous for the powerful local legends of warrior-women associated with its name. Today, its well-preserved, labyrinthine mudbrick ruins offer a fascinating glimpse into the pre-Mongol architecture and feudal life of the Sogdian region.

Name and Address

• Name: Kyrk Kyz Fortress (also Kirk Kiz, Qirqqiz Qal’asi). The name means “Forty Girls” in Turkic languages.
• Address: Located in the Termez District, Surxondaryo Region, Uzbekistan, approximately 3 kilometers from the main archaeological site of Old Termez.

How to Get There

The fortress is a popular and easily accessible site for those visiting the historical attractions around Termez.

• By Car/Taxi (Recommended): The easiest way to visit is by hiring a taxi from the modern city of Termez. It is a short drive, and it’s best to combine it with a visit to other nearby sites like the Sultan Saodat Complex and the Mausoleum of Al-Hakim at-Termizi.
• Visitor Tip: The site is an open-air ruin with very little shade. It is best to visit in the cooler morning or late afternoon hours. Entrance is typically free. The ruins are fragile, so it’s important to walk carefully through the designated paths.

Landscape and Architecture

The landscape is a flat, dusty plain, from which the fortress’s bleached, monumental ruins rise dramatically. The architecture is a masterful example of Central Asian adobe (mudbrick) construction.

• Fortified Manor (Kushk): Kyrk Kyz is a classic example of a kushk, a fortified country residence for the local elite. It is a large, square structure, measuring approximately 54 by 54 meters, with massive, thick walls made of mudbrick and adobe. Strong towers once reinforced each corner.
• Labyrinthine Interior: The interior is a complex and fascinating maze of over 50 rooms, vaulted corridors, and hallways arranged around a central courtyard. The layout is divided into four equal quadrants by two intersecting main corridors.
• Architectural Ingenuity: The structure is renowned for its advanced and varied use of mudbrick architecture. The builders created an incredible variety of arches, vaults (cylindrical, groin, cross), and domes, showcasing sophisticated engineering techniques for the era. The roof has long since collapsed, but the remaining arched corridors and rooms are incredibly atmospheric.
• Two Stories: The fortress originally had two floors, though in many places they have collapsed into one another. The ground floor likely contained storage and service rooms, while the upper floor would have housed living quarters and reception halls.

What Makes It Famous

Kyrk Kyz is famous primarily for the powerful legends that give it its name and for being an outstanding example of pre-Mongol Sogdian architecture.

• The Legend of the Forty Girls: Its main claim to fame is the legend of Princess Gulaim and her forty female companions. The most popular version tells of how these brave women defended the fortress against invading nomads after all the men had been killed, fighting with incredible courage. The story of these warrior-women, or Amazons of the steppe, has made the fortress a symbol of strength and female empowerment in Central Asia.
• Samanid Dynasty Residence: While legends abound, historians believe the fortress was likely a country residence for the ruling Samanid dynasty in the 9th and 10th centuries, a period of great cultural and scientific flourishing in Central Asia.
• Architectural Significance: It is a rare and well-preserved example of the region’s architecture from before the Mongol invasion of the 13th century. Its complex design and sophisticated use of mudbrick make it a vital site for understanding the architectural traditions of the era.

Differences from Other Wonders

Kyrk Kyz Fortress offers a unique experience that sets it apart from the more famous Timurid-era monuments of Uzbekistan.

• Earthen Fortress vs. Tiled Grandeur: The architecture of Kyrk Kyz is entirely mudbrick. Its beauty is raw, monolithic, and structural. This is a complete contrast to the dazzling, tile-covered splendor of Timurid sites like the Registan Square or the Gur-e-Amir Mausoleum in Samarkand, which were built centuries later with a focus on opulent decoration.
• A Feudal Castle vs. a Religious Complex: Kyrk Kyz was a fortified residence—a feudal castle. This is different from the purely religious and educational purpose of the madrassas and mosques found at a site like the Poi Kalyan Complex in Bukhara.
• A Legendary Ruin vs. a Living City Wall: While Itchan Kala in Khiva is a fully preserved walled city that is still inhabited, Kyrk Kyz is a solitary, atmospheric ruin in the countryside. The experience at Kyrk Kyz is one of exploring a lost world and its legends, rather than walking through a living historical city.