Situated in the southern Karakalpakstan region of Uzbekistan, Kizil Kala (meaning "Red Fortress") was an important urban center along the northern Silk Road trade routes during the 2nd century onwards. The remnants of this fortress stand as some of the earliest examples of Central Asian defensive architecture made from baked mud bricks, likely used in defense for the nearby Toprak Kala.

In more recent years, the ancient ruins of Kizil Kala have undergone extensive preservation and reconstruction efforts. In a sense, Kizil Kala is now an open-air museum allowing visitors to better envision this former Silk Road fortresses impressive scale and fortifications during heyday.