Tourists and foreign delegations usually visit just the modern mosque in Geokdepe. This is a big mistake, because only a few hundred metres farther to the north lies an old cemetery where the defenders of the fortress are buried. A wonderful view of the Kopet Dag range can be seen from this place.

Time has destroyed most of the gravestones, but many mazars (tombs) of the Muslim saints have survived. It is visible that somebody is taking care of them. The cemetery is surrounded by a well-built wall. In front of its gate there is a square where people gather during religious celebrations. Huge feasts are held at these occasions where also the poor are invited.

It is the old cemetery, not the polished, artificial mosque, that the Turkmen visit more often. They come here to pray and thank Allah for the graces bestowed upon them. One of the mazars is a place of pilgrimage for women who cannot have children. They come here to ask the sheikh buried here for help and they bring children’s toys, dolls and small cradles which they leave by his tomb.

A very moving place…