Bukhara City Tour – A Journey Through the Living History of Central Asia

Start your day after breakfast with a visit to the elegant Bolo Hauz Mosque, dating back to the early 18th century.

• Famous for its slender wooden columns supporting the beautifully painted iwan (terrace).

• The ceiling is adorned with intricate muqarnas, an ornamental vaulting style typical of Islamic architecture.

• Once the Emir’s official place of prayer, it remains active to this day.

Next, visit the imposing Ark of Bukhara, a massive fortress that served as a royal residence and military stronghold.

• It housed emirs, royal courts, and even dungeons.

• Inside, explore restored rooms, reception halls, and exhibitions showcasing Bukhara’s regal history until 1920.

This 10th-century brick mausoleum is one of the oldest and most revered monuments in Bukhara.

• Built for Ismail Samani, the founder of the Samanid dynasty — one of the last great Persian dynasties in the region.

• The mausoleum is a masterclass in early Islamic architecture, with baked brick patterns that form a perfect geometric harmony.

According to local legend, Prophet Job (Ayub) struck the ground with his staff here, causing a spring to emerge.

• The mausoleum, with its distinct conical dome, dates back to the 12th century.

• Today, a well still flows inside, and the site is revered for its supposed healing water.

Head to the heart of old Bukhara and admire the majestic Poi-Kalyan complex:

• The Kalyan Minaret (47 meters tall), also known as the “Tower of Death,” once guided caravans and served as a city landmark.

• The Kalyan Mosque and Miri-Arab Madrasah face each other, creating one of the most harmonious squares in Islamic architecture.

Built in 1417 by Ulugbek, the Timurid prince and renowned astronomer, this madrasah stands as a symbol of science and education.

• It is one of the oldest madrasahs in Central Asia still preserved.

• Ulugbek’s motto inscribed at the entrance: “Pursuit of knowledge is the duty of every Muslim man and woman.”

One of Bukhara’s oldest religious buildings, Magoki-Attori Mosque predates Islam and was later converted.

• Excavations show it was built over a former Zoroastrian temple.

• Its sunken floor and layered history make it a truly unique site.

Conclude your tour at the tranquil Lyabi-Hauz, the central square of old Bukhara.

• This ensemble includes the Nadir Divan-Begi Madrasah, Khanaka, and Kukeldash Madrasah.

• The central pond, shaded by ancient mulberry trees, has been a meeting place for centuries.

• Enjoy free time here for tea or souvenirs in the nearby artisan shops.