Holiday in Bukhara

About Bukhara

Bukhara is one of the oldest cities in Central Asia and has been a spiritual center of Islam for centuries, a hub of the Silk Road, and a residence for powerful emirs. The old town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1993, has largely preserved its medieval structure and presents a stunning ensemble of mosques, madrasas, and minarets that spans over two thousand years of architectural artistry. The heart of the city is the Poi-Kalon complex, dominated by the 47-meter-high Kalon Minaret, which impressed even Genghis Khan so much that he spared it during the city's destruction. Next to it stands the imposing Kalon Mosque with its 288 domes and the magnificent Mir-i-Arab Madrasa, whose turquoise mosaics shine in the sunlight. This square alone justifies the trip to Bukhara. The Ark Fortress, over 2,000 years old, rises massively above the city and tells the story of rulers who governed, traded, and conspired here. The covered bazaars — particularly the trading domes Toki Sarrafon, Toki Telpak Furushon, and Toki Zargaron — are still in operation and connect centuries-old trade architecture with the vibrant hustle and bustle of Uzbek daily life. What distinguishes Bukhara from Samarkand is its intimacy: the city is more compact, less monumental, and therefore more authentic. In the alleys of the old town, hidden courtyards with pools (Hauze), family-run guesthouses in historic Jewish merchant houses, and gold embroiderers who have passed down their craft for generations can be found. At the Lyabi-Hauz Square, the social center, locals sit under ancient mulberry trees, drink tea, and play chess — a scene that has hardly changed for centuries.