Bukhara Things to Do Tips by heplion

Chor Minor, meaning "four minerets" in Uzbek, is located a little ways outside of the city center. Chor Minor was built by an "aristocrat" int the early 1800's that had traveled to India and upon seeing the Taj Majol wanted to build something similar in Buxoro. He wasn't rich enough to build a replica of the same size, so this is what he built.

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An ark is a Central Asian/Middle Eastern version of a fortress or Kremlin. This one was buile between 6th and 19th centuries, yes, a VERY lon construction time. It has been destroyed 5 times and rebuilt 5 times. The first by Genghis Kahn and most recently by Lennin. They are still rebuilding from that destruction. Inside are the living chambers of the Emir, an old Mosque, a history museum and lots of people ready to sell you crafts!

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This is reportadly the oldest preserved mausoleum in Central Asia, dating to the 9th and 10th century. It was built by Ismael Samanid for his father. It is said that when his father died he said "do not appoint a new Emir, I will continue to rule from death". If you look at the grave inside you will see that there is a hole on either side. For 40 years, people would write questions on a piece of paper and place in one hole, and within several days a reply would come out the other side. Until a time when a man asked for 20 gold pieces, which was ALOT of money at the time. When the mand returned for his answer he found a sack of gold a a piece of paper that said "here is your gold, but you will be called to pay it back some time..." The man didn't spend the gold, but hid it under his bed. After a couple of years, a letter apeared at the hole asking what the man had done with the gold. The man replied "You are all powerful and replying from the grave, why don't you know what I did with your gold?" Since that day, the grave has never given another answer to a question.....If you visit this site several times in one day, you will notice that it changes color based ont he way the light hits it....very cool

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This is the highest Minaret in Uzbekistan. This is the point from which people where called to prayer, an observation tower and a place for executions (people where thrown from the top). Many legends are attached to the minaret, including the master builder that started the foundation and disappeared for two years before returning to start the brickwork onloy after the base had had sufficient time to dry. Another is the woman that was to be thrown from the top. When asked if she had any final wishes, she replied that she wanted to die wearing the dress her husband had given her. Her request was granted and her servent sent to retrieve her dress. He didn't know which one she wanted, so he brought all 40 of her dresses, which she proceeded to put on one at a time. When she jumped, all the clothing padded her, and saved her life, now it is customary for men to give their woman 40 dresses as a wedding present...

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These domes were originally built for trading in the 16th century and this is still their primary function today, although it is mostly for selling souviniers to tourists. In the "old days" this is where items moving east and west were changed from one caravan to another. Each dome had a purpose, money trading, jewelry, headwear, etc...

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I really don't know to much about this building itself, however there is an interesting story about the complex that it is in. The comples is from the 17th century, when the Emir's wife complained about his frequent trips away and his lack of caring for her and she flet that she never received anything of value from him. He asked his architect to take one of his wife's earings, sell it, and build whatever he could with the proceeds. What he built was this wonderful complex. The Emir returned to his wife and told her "with just one of your earings I was able to build this entire complex..."

Also, notice that the trees surrounding the pond were planted in 1477!!!

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Directions: In the Lyabi-Hauz Complex

Notice the two phoenix birds on the main portal. A Medresse is an ancient Muslim school where the Koran, science, astronomy, etc. were taught. Walking through the courtyard you will see many small rooms and doors that used to be the students rooms. They now house mostly craft stalls.

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Directions: Lyabi-Hauz Complex