Bukhara

Another historic city of Uzbek culture, Bukhara, stands out for its historic center, the Kukeldash Madrasa, and the Poi Kalyan Mosque. The fifth most populous city in Uzbekistan and capital of the province of the same name. Its name comes from ancient Uyghur and means "house of prayer" or "temple."

Bukhara has been one of the main centers of Uzbek civilization throughout history. Its architecture and archaeological sites are among the pillars of Turkic history and art. The Bukhara region was for a long period part of the Temurid Empire. The origin of its inhabitants dates back to the period of Aryan immigration to the region. The Sogdians inhabited this region and, centuries later, would adopt the Persian language.

Throughout its history, Bukhara has been a city coveted by many rulers, changing hands from one conqueror to another. In pre-Islamic times, it was a cultural center for Central Asia.

During the 9th and 10th centuries, Bukhara became the capital of the Samanid Empire. Renowned figures, such as Abu Ali Ibn Sina, Abu Abdullah Jafar Ibn Muhammad Rudaki, Omar Khayyam, and others, lived and worked within its borders.

In the following centuries, architectural brilliance flourished in Bukhara even after it ceased to be the capital. Numerous medieval structures have survived to this day. Under the reign of Tamerlane (Emir Timur), Bukhara began to emerge as a religious center, earning it the nickname Bukhoroi Sharif, or Holy Bukhara.