History and age of bukhara
In certain parts of the city, the cultural layer can reach up to 20 meters. In this depth, archaeologists found remains of houses and public buildings, coins, household objects, tools and jewellery dating back to the 5th century B.C. Therefore, in 1997 the 2’500 year festival of the city was celebrated.
Bukhara lies near the Zeravshan River, and according to legend, the city was founded by the Persian prince Siyavush, who had a fortress built here.
Bukhara was conquered several times in the past, including Alexander the Great in 329 BC and Genghis Khan in 1220. It was also the capital of some states, including the Samanid Empire (9th to 10th centuries), the Sheybanid Empire (16th century), the Ashtarkhanid Empire (17th to 18th centuries) and the Bukhara Emirate (18th to 20th centuries). The city thus became one of the most important cities of the Silk Road and was known as “Bukhoro-i-Sharif”, i.e. “noble Bukhara”.
The city is the birthplace of various personalities, such as Abu Ali ibn Sina, the physician and philosopher known in the West as Avicenna, Imam al-Bukhari, the collector of countless hadiths (traditions of the sayings and actions of the Prophet Mohammed) or Bakhouddin Naqshbandi, the founder of the Sufi Brotherhood, still popular today and named after him.
300,000
Population
2500 years
age of Bukhara
230 meters
above sea level
cultural heritage of bukhara
Due to the importance of Bukhara, the city got a variety of architectural monuments built here. Bukhara has preserved about 140 historic buildings, many of which date from the 16th century. The historical part of the town is in very good condition. The main buildings are not far from each other, so you can explore the city on foot and feel the atmosphere of the Orient.
The centre of the old town is Lyabi-Khauz Square. In its immediate vicinity, there are many hotels, hostels and restaurants. This part of the city is the preferred place in the evening for locals who want to spend their time with family or friends. A large number of souvenir shops is open late into the night.
Festival: Every year, the city hosts the Silk and Spices Festival. However, this event does not have a fixed date; it usually occurs at the end of May or early June.
Flight connections: Bukhara has an international airport, and there are global connections to Russia and Istanbul. The same airport is also used for domestic flights.
Railway connections: Bukhara’s railway station is about 12 km from the city centre and is located in the suburb of Kagan. From Tashkent or Samarkand, you can reach Bukhara by express or slow train. There is also a new direct connection to Khiva.