Attractions of Khiva Ichan-Kala

Registan, Bukhara

To the west from Ark, still before Arab period was built Registan Square, in the ancient days it was public part. There were administrative buildings of divans (ministries) and palaces till 13 century, and then markets packed it. From 16-century trade shops Rasta and Taki-Tirgaron were at the entrance to Registan, where armourers sold their production. There were passages Taki-Org-Furushon and Tim in the center of square where headdresses and cotton fabrics were sold. Trade of meat, cereals, fancy goods, paper and inks, cradles, cattle, watermelons and melons, wooden utensils and other things was going at the square.
Opposite to Ark among crowded bazars capital punishments were accomplished. At the end of Ark were weapon shops, reception-room of main commander and also large Poyand Madrassah, quartal Madrassah of butcher corporation Bozori Gusfaid and Madrassah Dorul-shifo, where future doctors studied, hospital and polyclinic departments.
The only Registan monument, reached our times, is Bolo-khauz of 18 century. Picturesque Bolo-khauz Madrassah with luxury many pillars ayvan, faced to Registan, together with minaret reflects in khauz water.

Trading domes, Bukhara

Bukhara is well-known to the world not only with its mosques, Ark Fortress and the majestic Kalyan minaret but also with its trading domes stretching in procession from Lyabi-Khauz to the Miri-Arab madrasah. Long ago, in the XVI century under the Shaybanides dynasty, Bukhara became the capital giving rise to unprecedented growth of the city, and since it was located on the Great Silk Road, the markets and trading stores even more congested cross-roads of public roads. Several centuries passed since that and four trading domes have only survived up to date.

Toki-Sarrofon Trading Dome

Fast beside the Lyabi-Khauz there stands a dome with a cross-road running under it. Small shops are scattered around it. Once there located one of the largest currency exchanges of Central Asia: merchants from India, China and other countries change their money from money-changers, named the sarrafs. The name of the trading dome originated from them. But several centuries later one can only buy carpets, kerchiefs and other souvenirs here.