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 709AD it was incorporated into the expanding Islamic empire.
Commerce continued to flourish under Arab administration and it grew into a great cultural and religious centre
counting 350 mosques and 100 religious colleges. - Bahauddin Naqshbandi,
founder of the one of the most influential Sufi orders, was born here in the 14th
century. Destroyed by the Mongol raids in the 13th century, Bukhara was
subsequently ruled by
regional powers becoming one of the great Central Asian khanates again in
the Middle Ages. Most of its illustrious monuments date from this time. Two
notable buildings are 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 madrassa is the Nadir Divanbegi built by the Khan`s grand vizier
in 1620. Today more than 140 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.