Otrar
Otrar, or Utrar, was an ancient city in southern Kazakhstan. It was the birthplace of the philosopher and mathematician Al-Farabi and among the most celebrated cities along the Silk Road during its heyday. It is thought that it was founded as early as second century BC at the time of the Kang-yu confederation.
Otrar reached its zenith between the 10th and 12th centuries, when it was a major trading centre, minted its own coins and had a library that attracted scholars from all over Central Asia.
