Bukhara is the fifth largest city in Uzbekistan, and the city dates back to the 3rd-4th centuries BC, similar to Samarkand. The historic centre of Bukhara has been listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. (Wikipedia)
The Kalyan minaret, built in 1127, is a tapered circular pillar made of baked mud bricks, 48m high, and 9m diameter at the base, narrowing to 6m. Gengis Khan spared the tower when he sacked the city, possibly as it is an excellent watchtower. It is also known as the Tower of Death as, until early last century, criminals were executed by being thrown from the top. (Wikipedia)
The Saminid Mausoleum was likely built during the reign of Ismail Samani (892-907), but certainly completed by 943. Again made of baked brick, it is a slightly tapered cube topped with a hemispherical dome. The delicate brickwork gives the building a lacy lightness. Buried in sediment up to the top of the doors for many years, the building was restored in the mid-twentieth century.
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| This image from ArchNet, taken by Roya Marefat in 1987 |
The Bala Hauz Mosque (hauz means pond, pool or lake) was built in 1712, originally as a royal chapel. The richly decorated entry iwan was added during a general reconstruction of the area in 1914-17. It's main facade overlooks the octagonal hauz, and faces Registan Square. The building has only been restored very recently. (Various sources, all seem to quote the same text, see here and here and here.)
Here's some other pics Dad (G) took in Bukhara.
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