Sunday, April 27th.
Day 9: Sun 27 Apr 2025 Bukhara: City Tour
Today we started our day with a bus ride out of Bukhara to visit the Ismail Samani Mausoleum from AD 905, considered one of the most elegant in Central Asia, offers a glimpse into the city's early history and the sophisticated craftsmanship of its builders. This is a beautiful square structure with intricate brickwork inside and out. It is a marvel how people designed and built buildings like this in that era. Next we visited the ‘Museum of the HIstory of Burkhara Water Supply’. We learned that Bukhara used water from standing ponds that were filled by springs or connected by canals and the city itself was surrounded by swamps. As a result it was a breeding ground for mosquitoes, malaria, water borne diseases like cholera, and it’s been suggested that the plagues that decimated Europe in the Middle Ages originated here. When the Bolsheviks conquered the city they drained the swamps and built canals to bring fresh water to the area. They also built public baths and some sanitation facilities; therefore life improved dramatically. Then we boarded the bus again and drove back to the city where we embarked on a leisurely walking tour through the historical old quarter of Bukhara. This region has been inhabited for an amazing five millennia, while the city itself has existed for half that time. As a vital hub along the Silk Road, Bukhara has long served as a center of trade, scholarship, culture, and religion. Recognizing its exceptional historical and architectural significance, UNESCO has designated the historic center of Bukhara as a World Heritage Site. Our exploration began at Labi-hauz, a picturesque 17th-century plaza centered around a tranquil pool. From Labi-hauz, we ventured into the city's vibrant bazaars, each with its own unique character. The three domed bazaars, renowned for their architectural beauty and bustling atmosphere, offer a feast for the senses. As we explored the labyrinthine streets, we encountered a colourful array of goods, from handcrafted textiles and spices to exquisite jewelry and souvenirs. After that we had lunch in the Jewish quarter of the city. The Jews don’t live in this area anymore (the few that live in the city have moved to another area). We ate in an artist’s shop where he creates his own paintings and teaches others. The shop and restaurant area contained dozens of lovely works of art and small cages with canaries in them. A highlight of our tour was the towering Kalan Minaret, a 12th-century masterpiece that once held the title of the tallest building in Asia. This iconic landmark stands as a testament to Bukhara's architectural prowess and its historical significance. The city's well-preserved center, which has remained largely unchanged for two centuries, offers a unique opportunity to experience pre-Russian Turkestan. We explore the massive royal fortress, a symbol of the city's former power, and wander through the labyrinthine streets lined with ancient madrassas, public baths, are the remnants of a once-vast market complex. Then we had some free time. John and I relaxed in the room to avoid the 35 degree heat. We read and I worked on the blog for an hour or so before we ventured out and checked out the hotel outdoor pool. The water was unheated and cool but refreshing. We had some fun talking to Uzbeki women who were visiting the city from Tashkent. In the evening we went for a walk around town exploring the souvenir, carpet and linen shops. Eventually we found a little outside restaurant and had a lite meal and a beer. We spent some good time talking and people watching before heading back to the hotel for the night.
Once again, these are outstanding photos of the architecture you guys are encountering. What an ancient and medieval civilization mixed with the more modern. Very impressive.
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