UZBEKISTAN: Bukhara
The desert town of Bukhara lies on the
ancient trade routes of Central Asia. With foundations dating back 1000
years, it is a treasure-house of densely packed Islamic architecture of
great interest to visitors to Uzbekistan. By the 8th century its prosperous
bazaars, filled with traders and craftsmen weaving silken textiles, had
attracted Muslim interest and in AD709 it was incorporated into the
expanding Islamic empire. Under Arab administration, Bukhara grew into a
great cultural and religious centre counting many hundreds of mosques and
madrassas. Bahauddin Naqshbandi, the founder of the one of the most
influential Sufi orders, of Islam, was born here in the 14th century. Razed
by Mongol invaders, Bukhara was subsequently ruled by regional powers
becoming again one of the great Central Asian khanates in the Middle Ages.
Most of its illustrious monuments date from this time, notably the Mir-i-Arab
madrassa - one of two religious college allowed to function during Soviet
occupation - and the 47 metre high, free-standing Kalyan Minaret. Another
huge religious college is the Nadir Divanbegi, built by the Grand Vizier of
Bukhara in 1620. Today, more than 150 religious monuments are open to
visitors along with mausoleums and hammams public baths. Other outstanding
buildings are the Ark, a 2000 year old fortress, the majestic Magoki-Attari
Mosque and the curious gateway with four minarets known as the Chor-Minar.
The historic centre of Bukhara was inscribed on the World Heritage List in
1993.