Our monuments
Bukhara
 ARK
6th-20th centuries
Ark is one of the most ancient ensemble in Bukhara. It was the citadel of rulers who superseded each other – bukhar–huddats, sultans and emirs. The ruins of walls (3rd – 2nd centuries B.C.) and fortifications (6th-7th centuries A.D.) were discovered at the base, which, for centuries became overlaid with new masonry and brickwork; the interior was filled with mighty cultural strata. The museum, which is located in the Ark? Tells of the history of Bukhara.
Mausoleum of the Samanids.
Late 9th- early 10th centuries.
 Simplicity of composition, logic of architectural forms, unity of structural methods, and decorative devices- such are the distinguishing features of the Samanids’ tombstone. The factitious property of backed brick was used so such full value and vivid representation for the first time in Bukhara, Central Asia and even in the entire middle east. Laid horizontally, vertically, at an angle, shaped like discs and rosettes, the brick formed ornamental panels and frames, making the architectural joins of the fronts and interiors stand out.
12th century.
The small Maghaki – Attari Psrish-mosque, which  was once located in the heart of the bazaars of medieval Bukhara, arrests one’s attention by the façade with an asymmetrical portal. It was lavishly decorated with cut bricks and terra – cotta tiles, while sky-blue glaze was used for the inscription-framing arch.
Pol- I – Kalyan Ensemble.
12th – 20th centuries. Kalyan Minaret- / 1127; Miri-Abab Medresseh- 1535 – 1536; the library early 20th century.
Pol- I – Kalyan- ‘Foot of the Great’ – such is the title that was given to the main ensemble Bukhara, which grew up in a block of buildings in small square.
The ensemble consists of a mosque, minaret, medresseh and a library. The minaret, which once served to call Moslem worshippers to player, was also used as a spy – tower and  place of public execution in the black days of the emirate. It remains the main monument of architecture in Bukhara to this day. It is fine point of observation; a magnificent view of the ancient town is revealed from the top of the minaret. Solid proportions are a distinctive feature of the minaret. The masonry and facing were done with backed brick. The shaft, which is lavishly decorated with geometrical designs, is disjointed by concentric bands and crowed with an open bay.
Kalyan Mosque.
 First half of the 15th century- 1514.
The congregational mosque in Bukhara, which was erected on a more ancient site, is one of the biggest mosques in Central Asia. The multi – pillared galleries encircling the courtyard are roofed with 288 small domes. It is cool, shady and quiet in them.
Chasma- Ayyub
1380
 An exception phenomen in Orintal architecture in the Middle Ages was the memorial place of warship erected over a sacred well, which according to a legend, was associated with the Prophet Ayyub. Its multi – dome composition, in which a well – proportioned conic dome on a high drum towers above, is unique among the relics of Bukhara. This was a form characteristic of the Khorezm school of architecture and its appearance was connected with the work of architecture driven from Urgench, which was seized and reveged by Timur’s forces.
Ulugh Beg Medresseh
1417 restored 1585.
 It is the oldest Medresseh in existence in Central Asia. The building is moderate in size and decorative design, and harmonious in proportion. The motto of its enlightened creator Ulugh Beg: “The yearning for knowledge is s feeling every Muslim and Moslem- women should be obliged to passess”, was carved on the doors at the entrance. The architect was Ismail bini – Takhir bini – Mahmud Isfakhani
Market Domes
 15th – 16th centuries.
The shops in medieval Bukhara, which were located in the main highways, are discerned as a row of domes. They are Taq – I – Zargon – ‘The Jewellers Domes’ (15th century), Taq-I-Sarrafon – ‘The Shroffs Domes’ (mid 16th century), Taq-I-Telpek Furushon – ‘The Domes of Headgear Vendors’ and Tim Abdullakhan Arcade for the sale of silks (both of the second half of 16th century)
Lyabi Khauz Ensemble
 16th-17th centuries.
Lyabi Khayuz is one of the finest ensembles of late feudalism in Bukhara, in which monuments, ornamental water and green plantations harmonize. In the 17th century an ensemble came into being, which was associated with the activities of Nadir – divan – bigi, a dignitary who had great influence: the khanaka was erected first, the Lyabi Khauz pond was dug in 1620, and in 1622 a caravan – serai was built, which was turned into a medresseh subsequently.
Kukeltash Medresseh
 1568-1569
The vaults and dome of the Kukeltash Medresseh bear resemblance to signs of competition between unknown masters who created them. They are figured brickwork of the sails and members pointed with ganch, and stellar inserts of colored tiles. It is the system of rhombic figures forming multi – radial stars which carry the lantern light, the spread arches, rhombic sails and polygons.
The Kukeltash Medresseh is imposing because of its exceptional bulk with the many cells built around an elongated courtyard. The plafonds of the vaulted spans in the entrance – hall, the mosque and darskhana are original.
Char – Minar.
 1807
The Califa – Khuda – dad Medresseh is notable for the search of new architectural devices. The galleries of cells are embraced with a courtyard on two sides, in which a guzar type of mosque was built with winter premises and a pillared iwan. Of particular interest is the erection at the entrance, which is an unique creation of semi – feudal architecture in Bukhara. Four turrets emphasize the composition, between which a dome rises (hence the name Char – Minar – “Four Minarets”): the traditional theme of architecture of places of worship acquired a new image – bearing expression. The monument proves that the creative thought of popular architects did not fall short during the cultural stagnation of the Bukhara Emirate.
Samarkand
 Shahi Zindah Ensemble.
11th – 20th centuries.
The Shahi Zindah – a memorial ensemble of picturesque style, which was built during centuries- has nothing to match it throughout the Moslem East. It’s a wonder of architectural design and decorative skill
Rukhabab Mausoleum
 1380s.
Rukhabab is the name given to the mausoleum of Sheikh Burhan – al –Din Sagarji who was highly honored by Timur. The architecture of the Building was rather archaic for its age. The successive change of plain geometrical forms (cubic – octahedral – spheroidal), considerable size, modest decorless brickwork (only the entrance was framed with cut glazed tiles) – conveys grandeur to the burial – vault. In formed times a paved path led to the Gur Emir Mausoleum.
Bibi-Khanym Mosqoe.
 1399-1404
The ruins of Timur’s Cathedral Mosque, which popular legend associated with Queen Bibi-Khanym, still stand out in the sky – line of Samarkand.
On returning from his Indian campaign in 1399, Timur ordered to have an immense mosque erected, to the building of which he assigned captured masters, unskilled workmen and treasures he had seized. He enlisted the finest local architects and those whom he had brought from the lands he had conquered. The grand structure, of which a contemporary wrote: “ Its dome would have been unique dad it not been for the sky which was a copy of it, its arch would have been singular if the Milky way were not its double”, - did not endure the test of time: the author’s intention exceeded the constructive means of his age. Its demolition began soon after it was built.
Gur-Emir Mausoleum.
 First half of the 15th century.
A group of Medressehs and khanakas, connected with a square courtyard, with minarets at the corners and well-proportioned portal at the entrance, was conspicuous among the monumental structures of Samarkand in early 15th century. They were erected for Muhammad – Sultan, Timur’s beloved grandson and supposed hear to the throne.
In 1409, when Muhammad – Sultan suddenly passed out during a military campaign, a mausoleum- The Gur-Emir – was erected on the south of the courtyard where Timur, his sons and grandsons were buried.
Later other outbuildings sprung up around.
Registan Square.
 15th – 17th centuries.
Registan, the main square, is often called the “Forum of Samarkand”. In the 15th century under Ulugh Beg many monuments were erected there; the Medresseh is all that survived of them. In the 15th century Yalangtush Bahadur, a local ruler, ordered to have the Shir-Dar and Tillya-Kari Medressehs built.
Ulugh Beg Medresseh.
1417-1420.
The Ulugh Beg Medresseh with its harmonious proportions, plain geometrical arrangement of the facade, minarets and portals, and splendor of ornamentation- is a classical piece of Timurid architecture
Khiva
Panorama of Khiva. Ichan – Kala.
 In the Middle Ages Ichan – kala was the centre of Khiva, which was enveloped with fortification. By the 10th century it had become a town and continued it expand in the course of centuries. Today Ichan – kala is a national reserve of architecture, in which buildings of the 19th – early 20th centuries are preserved in their prime. The high portals, domes and minarets signify the outline of Khiva, which changes when looked at from different standpoints. Monumental structures, erected at the instruction of the khans, harmonize with the dwelling – houses and their typical inner courtyards configured like a well. New barriers were raised on the ruins of the medieval fortifications. The capital of the Khivate was surrounded with fortifications, mighty towers and gates, Graveyards spread around close it the outer side of the walls.
Juma-Mosque.
18th century, pillars – 12th-14th centuries.
 A mysterious shade permeates the multi-pillared space of congregational mosque in Khiva. Carved
Pillars of medieval structures, which had fallen into decay, were made use of in the interiors. Their appearance was imitated while putting up new columns of which there was a great number in the mosque. The old pillars of the Juma – Mosque were covered with deep ornamental carvings of geometric, stylized- vegetable and epigraphic design. This is an uncommon illustration of decorating wooden members in Central Asian art of building, which survived to this day.
Minaret of the Juma- Mosque.
Late 18th century.
The minarets accentuate the outward look of Khiva, bringing the Ichan – kala ensemble to completement. The minaret of the Juma-Mosque, which rises above the plane roof and black facades of the building, was built at its other angle.
Kalta - Minar
1785
 The unfinished minaret near the portal of the Muhammad – Amin –khan Medresseh is impressive for its massive proportions and striking tiled facing. The vivid colors of the glazed tiles, which the Minaret is faced with, countervail the composed brick texture of the front Medresseh. The geometric ornaments, as in all the architecture of Khiva during the last centuries, were very plain – the bygone art of laying out complex girikhs was forgotten by that time.
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