Otrar is an ancient city located in southern Kazakhstan, near the Syr Darya River. It is known for its long and rich history, having been an important center of trade and culture for centuries.

The city was founded in the 1st millennium BC and became an important center of trade and commerce along the Silk Road during the Middle Ages. Otrar was also an important cultural center, with scholars and artists from all over Central Asia coming to study and create here.

During the 11th and 12th centuries, the city was ruled by the powerful Turkic confederation known as the Karakhanids. Later, it fell under the rule of the Khwarazmian Empire, which was conquered by the Mongols in the 13th century.

Otrar was completely destroyed by Mongol troops in 1219, and it never fully recovered from this devastating event. However, the city continued to play an important role in Central Asian history, and it was an important center of Sufi mysticism during the 15th and 16th centuries.

Today, the ruins of Otrar are an important archaeological site, attracting visitors from all over the world who come to explore the city's rich history and cultural heritage. Among the highlights of the site are the ancient city walls, the remains of a citadel, and the ruins of several mosques and other religious structures.