Bukhara: Day 2

This morning, when we were told we'd be spending the day walking around town seeing sights we hadn't seen yesterday, I didn't think it was possible, since this town has such a small-town feel to it. I was wrong. Our first stop, which really wasn't much of a stop since we walked right through it, reminded me of something out of Star Wars, from Luke Skywalker's planet, Tatooine. We walked through the Toqi Zargaron, built in the 16th century. It is a bazar.


The second stop was the Poy Calon, which means "at the foot of the big minaret." it is an architectural complex which contained a madrasah, (the only active madrasah during the Soviet period). All were closed but Stalin opened this one in 1945 as a way to thank all the Uzbeks that died during WWII. The complex also contained a minaret from the 12th century. Ghengis Khan didn't tear it down because allegedly he was impressed by it. The mosque, he destroyed. It was rebuilt during the 16th century, and is the largest mosque in Central Asia. The minaret was used as a lighthouse.


The madrasah:


The mosque and minaret:





We then walked to the Kosh madrasah, which is a series of two madrasahs facing each other. One is from the 15th c. The other from the 17th. The older one is the Madrasah of Ulughbek. The other is called the Abdul Azizxon Madrasah, built in 1652 AD.


The older Madrasah of Uluhbek:


After a nice walk, we then came to the Magoki Attori. (12th-16th c.) Foundations date back to 6th c. when it was a bazar, then they built a mosque on the site in the 12th c.


Our last major stop of the morning took us to the Labi Khaus, which is another architectural complex, which means "around the waterfall". There was a caravansary, the madrasah where we had dinner last night, and another madrasah called the Kokaldosh Madrasah, which was built in 1568-69 and is the largest madrasah in central Asia.








We then walked through a Jewish neighborhood, and went to visit a working synagogue,l but it was closed, and we couldn't find the keeper of the keys. So we went to lunch, had a free afternoon. I spent the time relaxing, took a walk around town, and just enjoyed the free-time since I know I ave over two more weeks of touring, both in Turkmenistan (where we will head tomorrow) and afterwards in China. We had a sunset dinner at a rooftop restaurant, which was our farewell to Uzbekistan dinner. We will be sad to leave this beautiful, friendly country tomorrow, but will be glad to head to a new country, Turkmenistan in the morning! Turkmenistan is famous for its hand-woven carpets, and I plan to do some damage when I get there! Can't wait!!!


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