Merv

Formerly known as Alexandria, Merv was a major city in Central Asia and located on the historical Silk Road. During the 12th century Merv claimed to be the largest city in the world, but it was devastated by an invading Mongol horde in 1221 and ultimately destroyed in 1794 when the Emir of Bukhara destroyed the dam which the population of Merv depended upon for water. By the 1800s the city was completely deserted. UNESCO has listed the site of ancient Merv as a World Heritage Site.