Parthian Old Nisa

The Parthian Fortresses of Nisa comprise the tells of Old and New Nisa, marking the location of one of the earliest and most significant cities in the Parthian Empire, which thrived from the mid-3rd century BC to the 3rd century AD. These fortresses preserve the unexcavated remains of an ancient civilization that skillfully blended its traditional cultural elements with influences from the Hellenistic and Roman worlds. Archaeological excavations at two sections of the site have uncovered elaborately decorated architecture that reflects domestic, state, and religious functions. Positioned at key commercial and strategic crossroads, this powerful empire acted as a barrier to Roman expansion while also serving as a vital communication and trading hub connecting east and west, as well as north and south.