Bukhara  is  one of the most ancient cities of the world: in September, 1997 the city celebrated its 2500 years jubilee. The name Bukhara was first mentioned by  historian Narshahi in th 9^th  century. Before that time the city had many other names.

    According to the opinion of many historians, philologists the word Bukhara originates from the Sanscrete “vikhara” that means “cloister”.

    At the result of archaeological excavations scientists came to the conclusion  that  the city

played a very important role in the economical and cultural life of the region as far back as in the period B.C.Bukhara had a very good location on one of the most important crossroads of the Great Silk Road, which lead from China to Rome.

    In the VIII c. at the result of Arabian conquest the new religion Islam was introduced here.

Bukhara was gradually converted into the most important religious center and more and more often they called it “Bukhoro-I-sharif”- noble Bukhara.

    During the period of its development the city was several times destroied ( by persians, arabs, mongols) and restored. The periods of a particular economical and cultural rise of Bukhara  were periods of reign of Samanids and Sheibanids.

    Modern Bukhara (nearly 300 thousand people) like other Uzbek cities is devided into the Old town and the New  one. But our city has undeniable superiority : if in other cities the old part of the city is often perceived as a museum in the open air  where there are only historical monuments and no inhabitants,  in Bukhara people live there like thousands years ago. And this allows everybody to imagine better the rich history of the city. 

    The administrative buildings, schools, institutes, industrial enterprises  are located in the new part of the city.

   You can  wander  along the narrow streets of 2500 years old Bukhara and enjoy both the splendid structures with blue domes and  small clay  houses.

   One of the most ancient and beautiful monuments in Bukhara is the mausoleum of Ismail Samani, built in the X century.  Today too it looks as beautiful as 1000 years ago. Samanids were the first Tadjic rulers of Persian origin (875-999 A.D.). They created the huge state, the capital of which became Bukhara. That period was marked by the high level of  development of construction, different tipes of art, exact sciences- mathematics, geometry, phisics.

     The mausoleum of Ismail Samani in Bukhara was the first structure on the territory of the city , built on the basis of the exact calculations. The whole scientific world is still surprised how  strictly logical  and at the same time beautiful these calculations  were.  Baked bricks, laied down vertically, horizontally, at right  angles were lighted by sun  with different level of intencivity, that created the marvelous   play of light and shade.    Mausoleum walls look like carved aivery box  , or sometimes like a basket woven of  wipping willow’s  twigs.During your visit to Bukhara you have to visit this monument without fail. Bukhara inhabitants are sure: if you did not see the mausoleum – you did not see Bukhara.

    The fortress Ark was the main official residence of Bukhara rulers during many centuries. It was built on an artificial hillock the walls of which were 16-20 m high. The territory of the fortfess is nearly 4 hectars. People often called it “town in city”because inside it had everything  that  ordinary town had : streets, bystreets,  palace and practical structures, mosques, workshops.

   During the history of its  existance the fortress was destroied, restored and rebuilt many times.    Unfortunately only somewhat had left nowadays from  the Ark powerful in former times. The most of the constructions were destroied during the revolutionary events of 1920. But inspite of that  the Ark is worth to be visited.  In the lore museum located in the fortress you will hear  many interesting about the history of the city, about the national habits and traditions. Furthermore, from the high fortress walls you can observe the beautifull panorama of Bukhara.

   The architectural complex Poi Kalyan is the real point of attrection for all our guests. Practically from everywhere one can see Kalyan Minaret, which was built as far ago as in the 12^th century, in premongolian period. In the 16^th century Kalyan Mosque was built near  it and opposite it – Mir-i-Arab Madressah.

   On holiday  it was possible to hear the voice of  “muedzin” calling faithful moslems to pray from the top of the mausoleum. In former days they lighted a fire at night on the top of the minaret  which could be seen from far away. Today too like in the former days   the minaret rises

above the old city. From a distance the minaret attracts your glance by its harmonious forms and clear lines. And if you have chance to see minaret Kalyan you will be charmed by its strict proportions and fantastically beautiful  brickwork.

   Mosque Kalyan is the second biggest mosque in Central Asia after Bibi-Khanum mosque in Samarkand. It is asserted that   during moslem holiday the mosque could hold  nearly 10 thousand  persons. Enormous open courtyard of the mosque, its magnificent portals and covered galleries  make an unforgettable impression.

  Madrassah Mir-i- Arab, situated opposite Kalyan Mosque , had always been a sample  for the construction of the later mosques due to its propotions and symmetry. During many years the Madrassah Mir-I-Arab  was the only functioning Madrassah in the Soviet Union where future Imams were  trained.

  The center of Bukhara( 16-17 century).  Lyabi-Khaus is the favouirite place of every inhabitant of Bukhara and its guest. Here you can meet the old friends and find the new ones. Here you can memorize the past and to think about the future. In the center of the square there is a big pond ( khaus) and around it different constructions are built: Madrassah Kukeldash, Madrassah and Khanako ( a guest house) Nadir Divan Begi.

  Madrassah Kukeldash is the oldest construction here. In the 16^th century a minister Kukeldash by name  ordered to build in Bukhara one of the biggest Madrassahs in Central Asia.

  On the place where Nodir Divan Begi Madrassah is located now they started to build a Caravan-saray. Later the plans of Nodir Divan Begi were changed and Caravan-saray was turned into a Madrassah. It had negatuve consequence: there were neigther  Mosque for students here,  no lecture hall – they were just not planned. But this building was  beautifully decorated with mosaics and majolica. Only here on the portal of this Madrassah you can see in Bukhara the pictures of fantastic birds Semurg and  the sun with human face. In the warm period of the year   you can enjoy the folk show in the courtyard of the Madrassah. Dark night sky, charming sad or gay music… Could you imagine differently ‘1001 night?”

  Guest house for dervishes Khanako Nadir Divan Begi is situated on the other bank of the  pond.

Bukhara was the center of Islam in Central Asian region. Many pilgrims arrived here, they needed  lodging  for the night. That’s why there were many guest houses and caravan-sarais in the city. And this Khanako was perhaps the most popular among the religious people, as here there were not only the rooms where they could sleep but also a big Mosque  for praying.

High tastefully decorated  portal is reflected in the pond’s water.

  Come to Lyabi Khaus. Drink a cup of green tea in “chaikhana” which is located here, talk to the  old men, sitting here all day long, playing  domino and backgamon. Here you can feel the charm of the city, hospitality of its inhabitants and specialities of national character better than enywhere else! 

  Approximately 4 km far from the city  the summer residance of the last Bukhara Emirs is situated. The palace has a poetic name Sitorai Mokhi Khosa- “ the place between Moon and Stars.”  In the architectural plan the palace constructions are interesting only because they  demonstrate the taste of  reach people of the end of the 19^th and the beginning of the 20^th centuries. The main parts of the constructions are designed  in eclectic style. The pleasant exclusion is the Throne Hall, decorated in full harmony with national traditions. Its fine delicate “ganch”carving will always remain in your memory. Now the museum of national decorative applied arts is located here, where you can enjoy the   beautiful “suzane”embroidered with silk thread, ceramics, traditional  ladies’ jewelry, national garments, etc.

  In Bukhara there are more other different monuments, you can hardly enumerate all of them.

The historians say that there were more than 300 mosques and near 200 madrassahs in the city.

Add here numerous minarets, caravan-sarais, trading domes and you will understand why Bukhara is called the museum of Islam architecture.

 

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