Discover Bukhara

The Uzbek city of Bukhara is a city of cultural delight and significance. Currently, it has a population of around a quarter of a million and was a famous city on the Silk Road.

The region around Bukhara has been inhabited for around five millennia, and today the city remains an important cultural, religious, trade, and education center.

In 1938 it was described by the British diplomat to Russia, Fitzroy Maclean, in his memoir Eastern Approaches as an “enchanted city”.

The City Museum

Bukhara is often known as a city museum. UNESCO has made the city center a World Heritage Site thanks to its 140 architectural monuments most of which are mosques or madrassas. The streets in the center are narrow, and as you walk, you tend to feel like you are walking back in time. The buildings here have been beautifully preserved and is one of the best examples of Islamic architecture in the world.

A Brief History of Bukhara

The city has existed for about 2500 years. During the age of the Samanids, it became the second most important intellectual center in the Islamic world. Baghdad was the first. The city has been ruled over by various empires and was once besieged by Genghis Khan for 15 days.

In 1920, the Soviet Red Army attacked the city under the command of Mikhail Frunze. The Emir Alim Khan escaped to Kabul. The fighting lasted for four days and The Ark, the Emir’s citadel was destroyed.

Once conquered, the Bukharan People’s Soviet Republic was established and existed until 1925 where it was amalgamated with the Uzbek Soviet Socialist Republic. In 1991 it regained independence from the Soviet Empire along with the rest of the country.

During the age of the Silk Road in the 9th and 10th centuries, the city was one of the most important. It was a major trading hub, and merchants and trade caravans would meet here and conduct business. This is a legacy that serves the country well. Now the old trade domes are a much sought after tourist attraction. Although it is no longer a bazaar, you can pick up souvenirs and other trinkets.

Tourism

As Uzbekistan continues to redefine itself after independence from the Soviet Union, Bukhara continues to redefine itself in today’s world. As the city has come back into the limelight and has become more accessible, tourism is becoming a growth industry. It is popular with backpackers who want to see the world, but also more conventional tourists attracted by the historical wonders.

Popular Bukhara tourist spots include:

•           The Ark – An ancient fortress that was still in use up to 1920 when the Red Army destroyed it. Subsequently, it was rebuilt. It is believed that the Emir destroyed some of it himself, so it didn’t fall into ‘heathen hands’. The mosque and the undulating wall are the main draws.

•           Po-i-Kalyan Complex – At one time, its minaret was the tallest building in the world. It is so impressive that even Genghis Khan did not destroy it. To this day, it remains one of the finest examples of Islamic architecture in the world.

•           Chor Minor – Comprised of four minarets the quaint mosque was completed in 1807. It is part of the historic center, and many come here to get a souvenir while traveling through.