Historical Places in Uzbekistan

Historical Places in Uzbekistan

On the plains of Central Asia there are many cities with hundreds of architectural monuments from various epochs. Among the most famous are Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva, Shakhrisabz, Termez and Kokand. These cities were centers of science and art. Great architects created palaces, mosques and mausoleums, world famous monuments of ancient architecture, to memorialize Alexander the Great and Gengiz Khan. Many of these masterpieces did not survive, but by visiting those which have been preserved, it is possible to glimpse pages of history.

Ark Fortress, Bukhara

The Ark Fortress in Bukhara was the residence of the Bukharan khans and emirs, a strong hold of government and power which today stands as the oldest monument in the city.
The fortress has an area of 4.2 hectares and stands on a 20-meter-high embankment. According to legend, the citadel’s founder is the epic here Siyavush, son of Kai Kavus.

Mausoleum of the Samanids, Bukhara

There are so many interesting historical monuments in the world worthy of your attention, but only few of them are destined to remain among the memories of the people who have seen them, that is, without exaggeration, remain vivid for the rest of their lives. The famous mausoleum of the Samanids in Bukhara, without a doubt, is one such monument.

Registan Square, Samarkand

Registan became a major square of Samarkand in the 14^th century. Registan means "a sandy place". Earlier, a river channel flowed through th area, forming sand and silt deposits. Six streets cross at Registan. While under Temur the square was a commercial and crafts center, it became a spiritual center under Ulugbeg.

Bibi-Khanym Mosque, Samarkand

Bibi-Khanym Mosque was constructed to mimic the design of the Amir Timur cathedral mosque of Samarkand. It was intended to out-rival everything he had ever seen. Architects, artists and craftsmen from conquered countries were involved in the construction of this grandiose complex. 

Khiva Monuments

Ichan Kala
Ichan Kala (literally "internal fortress") forms the internal city of Khiva. The borders of Khiva coincided with that in the 16^th-17^th centuries. The clay wall over 2,200 m in length and 7-8 m in height surrounded Ichan Kala. The wall was fortified with semicircular towers. The embattled gallery went along the top of wall.

Madrassah Kukeldash, Tashkent

Madrassah Kukeldash is located on a high hill in the area of Chorsu square. The builder of the Madrassah was a vezir of the Tashkent khans (1551-1575), called Kukeldash ("the foster-brother of the khan"). The Madrassah has a traditional composition: an extensive court yard, built on khudjras, with darskhana and a mosque in the corners.
Palace – joy
Mosque – masjid
Possible – mumkin
Residence - turar joy
Destined – taqdirlangan
Composition – tarkibi
Semicircular - yarim doira shaklida
Clay – loy
architectural - me'moriy
monument - yodgorlik