Bukhara’s abundant mosques, minarets and madrassas make it one of the holiest places along the Silk Road. Bukhara is one of the few cities in Uzbekistan, beside Samarkand and Khiva, that survived Russification under the Tsars and the Soviet rule, and kept the feel of a true Silk Road city. With two or three days, it is possible to explore Bukhara and get a glimpse of how Uzbekistan may have looked like many centuries ago.
The best way to understand Bukhara is to walk its roads, admiring the madrassas, wandering through the local markets, and watching people in the central square. There are more than 140 protected buildings in Bukhara, and it is easy to try to focus on the individual sights rather than on the experience of the city itself. But there are some truly impressive sights that should not be missed.
Kalon minaret and mosque
Built in 1127 (and probably the tallest when it was completed), the impressive minaret is nearly 50 meters tall and its 14 decorative patterns are a real artistic masterpiece. The minaret is said to be so beautiful that it impressed Genghis Khan who graciously decided to preserve the minaret while the rest of the city was destroyed. The minaret also marks the place of the largest mosque in Bukhara. The inner courtyards are large enough for more than 10,000 pilgrims and some of the rooms are still used as madrassas.
The Ark
Located just outside of the main town, the Ark appears to be an impregnable fortress. The ancient rulers of Bukhara used this impressive self-sustaining structure for over 10 centuries until the Soviet invasion of the region. Though much of the interior is heavily damaged, some of the royal houses can still be visited.
Tip: For a unique perspective of the Ark, head to the water tower just outside the main entrance. The tower is rusty and looks feeble, so climb at your own risk!
Char Minar
The four minarets of the small mosque of Char Minar (literally, the Four Minarets) are one of the most picturesque sights in Bukhara. This small building was once a madrassa, and today houses small souvenir shops.
Tip: It is possible to climb one of the pillars for a modest fee, though the views are not as impressive as elsewhere.
The Bukhara’s city centre
Most of the action in Bukhara takes place in the streets of alleys near the pool of Labi-havz. Look for a tea shop and observe people. Some of the tea shops offer an intimate inner courtyard and unique tea flavours, and are a sight in themselves. Most of the souvenirs are also sold in or near the city centre, particularly in the domed market. Just outside of the market, Tim Abdullah Khan is a large cave-like building that sells exquisite carpets.
Tip: For a really unique souvenir, head to Kukeltash Madrassa (The Phoenix Madrassa, named after the depictions of the phoenixes) and look for Medina, a female artist specializing in miniature paintings whose work is so unique that it has been featured in art galleries around the world.
Fayzulla Khojaev House
Fayzulla Khojaev is one of Bukhara’s most controversial figures. He was once Bukhara’s wealthiest trader and sided with the Bolsheviks against the emir of Bukhara. As a reward, he was offered top political posts (both within Bukhara and the Uzbek Republic) until he was executed. The house is located outside of the town center but is worth visiting for a glimpse of the elegant frescoes and ceilings that were common at the turn of the 20th century in Bukhara.
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