If there is one Uzbek ancient city that we are not ready to forget, it’s indeed Bukhara! Mythical city, located on the Silk Road, Bukhara with its hundred-year-old monuments and intriguing Madrasa has enchanted us as much as a tale of a thousand and one nights…
Bukhara’s must-sees
Bukhara does not spared by the stream of tourists who came to admire its treasures. We do not blame them: we too fell for the old city center of Bukhara, for the view of the minaret and Kalyan mosque at nightfall, for the majesty of Bolo-Khauz mosque, for the busy stalls of Toki Zargaron and Toki Sarrofon arcades, for the freshness of Lyabi Hauz park, for the intriguing Chor Minor mosque which illustrates most of Uzbekistan travel guide book covers… And then, in this hustle and bustle, Bukhara also revealed us its hidden treasures: equally beautiful and precious treasures, treasures within everyone’s reach – but especially for those who want to find them!
Bukhara’s hidden treasures
Strolling through the narrow streets of the old city center, we let ourselves be guided by our insatiable curiosity until we found Bukhara’s hidden treasures:
- Bukhara’s photo gallery, set up in an old caravanserai and totally free of access. The visit did not only reveal us sublime pictures of the daily life taken by local photographers, but also a multitude of small workshops led by passionate craftsmen!
- Khuzha Zainiddin mosque, one of the oldest mosques in the city: a place of worship lost in the maze of small cobbled streets, but which has not lost its charm! Old paintings, partly erased mosaics, damaged exterior framework: time’s work has not spared the building, which two Uzbek workers were modestly trying to restore.
- Samanidov Mausoleum, located in the heart of the Samanidov Park: probably because of its off-center location, this historical monument (actually, the oldest building of Bukhara) is a bit forgotten… A pity, because its cubic shape and fine details of its bricks astonished us as much as they could enchant other curious visitors!
- Madar-i-Khan Madrasa, facing the Abdullah Khan Madrasa (paying entrance for the latest). Is it because of the stark contrast with the huge and completely restored madrasa facing it, that we appreciated the modesty of Madar-i-Khan? In any case, we really enjoyed being able to walk freely in the courtyard to admire the succession of cells!
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* Post written according to our personal experience *