Qirqqiz Fortress
| Qirqqiz Fortress | |
|---|---|
Qirqqiz qal’asi | |
Qirqqiz Fortress interior | |
| Former names | Shahri Somon |
| Etymology | forty girls |
| General information | |
| Type | fortress |
| Location | Surxondaryo region |
| Town or city | Termiz |
| Country | Uzbekistan |
| Coordinates | 37°16′00″N 67°17′24″E / 37.2666°N 67.2900°E |
| Year(s) built | 9th-15th centuries |
| Technical details | |
| Material | mud bricks and fired bricks |
| Size | 53.3×54.8m |
| Floor count | 2 |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect(s) | masters from Iran and India |
The Qirqqiz Fortress (Uzbek: Qirqqiz qal'asi; meaning: forty girls) is a historical monument in Uzbekistan, the first Islamic academy for girls - located in Surxondaryo region (9-10th centuries). It is preserved in a ruined state in Termiz District . There is no information about the purpose of its construction (fortress, palace, khanqah, caravanserai). There are various hypotheses by researchers about the function of this monument. It is suggested that it was a remote palace, a girls’ madrasa, a khanqah, a caravanserai and other possibilities. The fact that it was located outside the city of Termez in the Middle Ages indicates that the fortress served as an outpost outside the city. It was built in a rigid monumental style according to the directions of the world.
It is currently included in the list of material cultural heritage of Uzbekistan of republican significance.