The Five Stans Adventure exploring Turkmenistan 🇹🇲 Uzbekistan 🇺🇿 Tajikistan 🇹🇯 Kazakhstan 🇰🇿 and Kyrgyzstan 🇰🇬
Head out for a half day tour of Bukhara. First, you’ll visit the Sitorai Mohi Khosa – once the summer palace of the last Bukharan emirs. Designed by Russian architects, it has interiors decorated with traditional filigree plaster, mirrored surfaces and delicate floral wall paintings crafted by local artisans. Continue to Ark Fortress – the symbol of Bukhara – then, see one of Central Asia’s oldest and most exquisite structures – the tenth-century Ismail Samani Mausoleum. You then have a free afternoon to explore the ancient Silk Road town. Maybe visit Bolo Haus Mosque, Chor Minor, Kalon Mosque and Minaret, or Ulukbek Madrassah and Abdulaziz Khan Madrassa.
~ Intrepid Travel ~ Five Stans Day 7
A full day exploring Bukhara! There are so many ancient monuments to see and I may have mixed up my pictures. I have to do better when I’m taking them and sort better.
Sitorai Mohi Hosa Palace
Known as the “Palace Like the Stars and the Moon” the palace was built in the late 19th to early 20th century as a country residence of the Emir of Bukhara. Today, it is a museum of decorative and applied arts.
Ark Fortress
The Ark of Bukhara is a fortress initially built and occupied around the 5th century AD.
Ismail Samani Mausoleum
Built in the 10th century for the Islamic Samanid dynasty that ruled the Samanid Empire from approximately 900 to 1000. The mausoleum was once located in a cemetery, but today stands alone in a park. It is the town’s oldest Muslim monument.
Bolo Hauz Mosque
Built in 1712, Bolo Hauz Mosque is a Friday mosque.
Chor Minor
Built in 1807, Chor Minor is a historic gatehouse. “Chor–Minor” translates to “four minarets” and each of the four minarets is a different shape.
Kalon Minaret & Mosque
Built by the Karakhanid ruler Arslan Khan in 1127, the Kalon Minaret was also a watchtower and a guide to approaching caravans on the Silk Road. It’s name means “great” in Tajik and in 850 years, it has never needed any structural repairs.
In the 18th and 19th centuries, men condemned by the Emir were hurled to their deaths from the top. Genghis Khan is said to have been so impressed by the minaret that he ordered it spared. He did destroy the original mosque that stood next to it and the present Kalon Mosque was built in the 16th century.
At night …
Ulugbek Madrasah
Built in 1417, Ulugbek Madrasah is the oldest preserved madrasah in Central Asia. It is the oldest of the madrasahs built by Ulugbek.
An inscription on the entrance panel states “It is the sacred duty of every Muslim man and woman to seek after knowledge”. An inscription on the door knocker states “Above the circle of people well schooled in the wisdom of books, let the doors of Allah’s blessing be open every instant.”
Today it houses the Museum of the History of the Restoration of Bukhara Monuments.
Abdulaziz Khan Madrasah
Across from the Ulugbek Madrasah is the Abdulaziz-Khan Madrasah built in 1652.
Out & About
Happy Travels!
The Five Stans
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Jackie is “Mom” to one amazing son, an IT professional and an obsessed traveller. She spends her time reading, golfing at Ladies League and implementing software projects. Jackie has travelled to 7 continents, 5 oceans and 103 countries and she is always planning the next destination and adventure!