Of uzbekistan fergana state university

1.2.Bukhara center of Islamic culture 
 
You will need at least two days to visit and see Bukhara main architectural 
sights. Bukhara is a holy city of Muslim world. A great many mosques, shrines, 
madrasahs, with the latest one among them dating back to the XIX century, 
preserved there. All the excursions start from Lyabi-Khaus pond, which decorates 
the entry to the Nadir Divan-begi madrasah of the XVII century. 
The Bukhara symbol is the 47-m high Kalyan minaret, built under the 
Karakhanids in the XII century. At that time it was the highest minaret in Central 
Asia, which as a light house, showed the way to Bukhara to trade caravans and 
pilgrims. You must visit the Ark fortress – a citadel which was a residence of local 
rulers for several centuries. The Samanid Mausoleum – Bukhara oldest monument 
erected early in the century, features elaborated beauty of décor and orderliness of 
5
Richard N Frye, 'Bukhara i. In pre-Islamic times' Archived January 2, 2009, at the Wayback Machine, 
Encyclopædia Iranica, 512 

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proportions. Not far from it there is another Bukhara sight - Chashma-Ayub with a 
holy spring, which according to a legend was formed by strike of Saint Job’s staff. 
Bukhara historical center includes altogether 140medieval structures, which 
managed to preserve their look unchanged for centuries. There, you will find 
yourselves in the world of the medieval East with narrow paved side streets and 
magnificent structures, decorated with intricate ornament, majolica, Arab ligature 
and blue domes. Bukhara four trade domes are extant almost intact, where even 
now Bukharian residents offer gold embroidery products, karakul, carved furniture, 
silk and spices.
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The successful expansion of the Sheibanids was expressed through their 
beautification of Bukhara’s cityscape and extensive monuments. Some of the most 
important constructions during this period include the Poi-Kalyan complex, 
consisting of mosques, minarets and madrasas; the Lyabi-Khauz ensemble, 
complete with a large plaza and pond; the Kosh madrasa; the Gaukushon madrasa; 
and the Magoki Kurns madrasa. Many of these buildings contain bazaars on the 
inside that sell traditional products such as jewellery, scarves, knives and ceramics. 
Each monument alludes to its function during its time of construction in history, 
and are beautifully decorated in intricate tilework, mosaics, and magnificent 
domes. From the 17th century, a succession of short-lived dynasties led to a 
weakness in Bukhara that gave neighbouring rulers the opportunities for continual 
raids and pillages. In 1753, the city became the capital of a new Mangut dynasty 
that lasted until 1920 and Bukhara again was a major trading centre, although there 
were no construction projects to rival those of the Sheibanid Dynasty. By the time 
it was incorporated into the Russian Empire in 1868, it had no fewer than 38 
caravanserais, six trading arcades, 16 public baths, and 45 bazaars. Walking the 
streets of Bukhara feels like exploring a time capsule of the Silk Road, as you pass 
through bustling bazaars and past the elegant intricacy of brick and tile work in the 
6
"UMID" Foundation, Uzbekistan. "General Info". Archived from the original on 2001-01-26. Retrieved 2007-10-
04. 
Narshaki, Richard Nelson Fyre, The History of Bukhara, p. 27 

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monuments. The facades of mosques and madrasas glimmer with their vibrant 
tilework, telling stories of Bukhara’s great prosperity, while merchants selling 
textiles and gold-embroidered goods form a link to the caravans of traders that 
once passed through the mediaeval city. The 10th century Ismail Samanai tomb is 
a highlight, as is the 11th century Poi-Kalyan minaret and the Ulugbek madrasa. 
But the domes, madrasas and mosques from the Sheibani dynasty stand out as 
some of Uzbekistan's greatest architecture.