BUKHARA-ANCIENT CITY IN UZBEKISTAN

BUKHARA-UZBEKISTAN

ANCIENT CITY ON THE SILK ROAD

Bukhara was the third city in our visit to Uzbekistan and quite different to both Tashkent and Khiva.It is claimed to be Central Asia's holiest city and has buildings dating back one thousand years and more.In the 9th an10th century it was regarded as 'The Pilar of Islam' and a cutural and religious center of Central Asia. In 1220 Genhis Khan came through and di his thing (sparing some builings such as the Kalon Minaret) and later it was talken over by Tamur's Samarkand.

Map Courtsey of US Embassy in Uzbekistan

In Bukhara we stayed at:

AS-SALAM BOUTIQUE HOTEL

It was close to the centre of the older part of town and clean and conformtable

LYABI HAUS

Near the hotel was a small plaza built around a pool that dates back to 1620.This was a quiet area with a number of outdoor restaurants ans popular with the locals

COVERED BAZAARS

Just to the north and west of the Lyabi Haus are the covered bazaars.There are three domed bazaars (the dome structure was designed for cooling).THhey are Taki-Sarrafon ( Money Changers), Taki-Telpak (Cap makers) and Taki-Zargaron ( Jewellers ). Once this was an area dotted with sellers of goods and these three remain having been renovated by the Russians.

KALON MINARET & MOSQUE

Just past the bazaars you will find the Kalon Minaret built in 1127 by Arslan Khan which is 47 metres tall and once the tallest building in Central Asia . Soimpressed was Genhis Khan who came through in 1220 that he sacked the town but spared the minaret. Adjacent is the Kalon Mosque.

THE ARK

A little further out is the Ark, the residence of the Emir's of Bhukhara which was under renovation as 80% is in ruins. It dates back to the 5th century.

CHAR MINAR AND THE BACK STREETS

Char Minar was on the other side of town and it took us through the back streest and off the normal tourist track.Char Minatr was the gate house of what was once a madresser, long since gone.