Day 7

 Mausoleum of Ismail Samani

The Samanid Mausoleum is a mausoleum located in the northwestern part of Bukhara, Uzbekistan, just outside its historic center. It was built in the 10th century CE as the resting place of the powerful and influential Islamic Samanid dynasty that ruled the Samanid Empire from approximately 900 to 1000. It contained three burials, one of whom is known to have been that of Nasr II.

The mausoleum is considered one of the iconic examples of early Islamic architecture and is known as the oldest funerary building of Central Asian architecture. The Samanids established their de facto independence from the Abbasid Caliphate in Baghdad and ruled over parts of modern Afghanistan, Iran, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Kazakhstan. It is the only surviving monument from the Samanid era, but American art historian Arthur Upham Pope called it the "one of the finest in Persia"

Perfectly symmetrical, compact in its size, yet monumental in its structure, the mausoleum not only combined multi-cultural building and decorative traditions, such as Sogdian, Sassanian, Persian and even classical and Byzantine architecture, but incorporated features customary for Islamic architecture – a circular dome and mini domes, pointed arches, elaborate portals, columns and intricate geometric designs in the brickwork. At each corner, the mausoleum's builders employed squinches, an architectural solution to the problem of supporting the circular-plan dome on a square. The building was buried in silt some centuries after its construction and was revealed during the 20th century by archaeological excavation conducted under the USSR.

The mausoleum is built of only fired bricks and has the form of a cube. Each of the four corners of it has a pillar with almost no decoration. The pillars hold arcades of ten arches on each side. At the corners of the roof there are small domes; they are shifted a little towards the center in relation to the pillars. The center of the roof is crowned with a large dome.

The walls of the mausoleum feature decorative brickwork of alternating horizontal and vertical elements. Thanks to these intricate patterns, the mausoleum looks different at different times of day. The chains of brick rings along the cornice resemble Sassanian pearls of stucco decoration depicting drilled beads, which many Central Asian palaces featured in pre-Islamic period. The brickwork in some parts of the mausoleum has interlacement patterns, which adds to the beauty of the structure and highlights the amazing artistry of its builders.

The mausoleum marks a new era in the development of Central Asian architecture after the Arabian conquest. The architects continued to follow the ancient tradition of brick construction, but to a much higher standard than before.

The Mausoleum Chashma-Ayub

Chashma-Ayub Mausoleum is in the middle of a small, ancient cemetery. The construction suffered some losses, but the preserved parts represent a combination of a harmonious entrance portal, and adjoining it are the remains of the western curtain wall.

The construction layout of the portal is in a traditional pattern, made up in the form of two pylons, forming the niche overlapped by the semi vault. The II-shaped frame, the inside of which forms the obverse surface, tympanum, and ktoba, is finished with an inscription above the lancet arch. The northern part of the niche portal is a limited gable wall with a doorway. From the western end the portal is adjoined by a deep brick wall that measures 5.9 m, of which the western portion has been lost. The wall is in the form of a trapezoid with a large base. The central room is overlapped by the tent-peaked dome. Except for the proportions of the construction, this monument has well-considered and perfectly executed decoration, the basic part of which is concentrated on the portal. The most effective place in the general composition of the decoration is ktoba, filled with Arabic inscriptions on a background of botanical ornamentation. The portal frame on the external contour is marked by the II-shaped zone, strengthened by girikh from intertwining octahedrons, made of terracotta bricks. Glazed inserts in turquoise fill the central octahedral sockets. A tape borders the frame and ktoba. The historical value of the monument consists of the exact dating written on ktoba (1208-1209 .A.D.) or the 605th year of the Muslim Calendar.

Today is the second week of practice with my favorite group and of course the most wonderful teacher. We decided to go today to two mausoleums, very interesting places in 18 years, I was there for the first time. Especially the Chashma Ayuba mausoleum, there is a reservoir where the water will never disappear. When I heard this, I was shocked. Every day I learn a lot of interesting facts and legends.

Day 6

 Sitorai mohi hosa 

Sitorai-Mohi Hosa Palace(translated from Persian as the star and the moon of Khan) was built in XIX - XX centuries by father of the last Emir Ahadhan.

  The new complex of garden pavilions was built to the east of the residence Ahadhan. It is a large garden area of 6.7 hectares with fruit orchards. There are two sculptures of marble lions at the entrance to the palace. Colorful mosaic patterns adorn the main entrance to the palace, which is uncharacteristic of the local architecture. Blue and green colors are dominated in the decoration of the interior.

  Palace Sitora-Mohi-Hosa consists of three main parts: the entrance, outside courtyard - for men and inside courtyard - for women. The walls of the palace are surrounded by a wide area. There is a small body of water in the centre of the palace.

  Nowadays, there is a museum of decorative arts in the palace, which was opened in 1927. There are some great expositions: Interior of the summer palace" where you can see the palace furniture XIX-XX centuries, Chinese and Japanese porcelain XIV-XX centuries, jewelry of famous Bukhara masters; “Clothing  of Bukhara dweller of XIX- XX centuries", where the collection of clothing, belts, scarves, shoes are represented; ethnographic exhibition of house interior of Bukhara’s urban residents.

The corner of Eden on the Earth

Many people who visit this place call it as fairy Paradise. And it is true, because in this blessed gardens you could see numerous peacocks or the birds of Eden. They are walking about garden paths, dispiritedly staring at their dry thin feet. According to the legends, these birds were excluded from Paradise and as punishment have received extremely horrible voice. This place called Sitorai Mohi Hosa that located in the Pearl of Uzbekistan – Bukhara.

Until now, they are walking about summer palace of Bukhara Emir. And here guides insistently advise every visitor to feed these royal birds, because they aren't even afraid of people. And they accurately take small pieces of bread out of hands.

This is a historical place that was bought out by great ruler Ismail Samani from the Arabian conquerors. And that time referred to beginning of the Samanid Dynasty's governing. However, there were gardens and before Samanids. These flower gardens existed exactly in the place a dozen years ago

Today is the third day of practice and finally it was me with Shakhrizoda and Nigina as a guide. We have chosen the most beautiful and fantastic place of Sitorai Mokhi Hossa, where Said Alimkhan lived with his wives. The most interesting thing is that we learned a lot of new legends about the building, how they built it and why. Still the weather was very wonderful today with a breeze. We, as guides, told other tourists interesting facts too. In the end today was the most wonderful day with good memories

Photo with Tina

Day 5

Blacksmith of Bukhara

It isn't surprising that periods of history are referred to by the names Of metals: The Iron Age, Copper Age and Bronze Age. Man has been processing metal for his use since the dawn of recorded history.
Archeologists have recorded many items in Bukhoro which confirm the ancient origins of this craft in this timeless old city.
Abu Raihon Biruni wrote in the 10th century, that Bukharan master smiths worked with four kinds of metals. The development of the smithing craft affected growth of agriculture and many other industries in the region.By the end of the 19th century, according to master smith Sharif Kamalov calculation, there were over 150 smiths in Bukhoro producing a variety of goods:
Nail makers (mehchasoz)
Farriers (na’lgar)
Locksmiths (qulfsoz)
Iron tool makers (chelongar)
Needle makers (suzansoz)
Tinsmiths (tunukasoz)
Cutlers (kordsoz)
Currently, there are about 40 smiths still working here, creating hand made knives and scissors, hoes and shovels and sickles and special tools for other crafts-people. The beauty of these unique items makes the factory-made equivalents look boring by comparison.

 

The Blacksmith History Forge Museum is a short walk north of the Toqi Telpak Furushon Bazaar on Khakikat Street. The museum is located in the Kulyuta karavansarai which was built in the 16th century. Admission is free, and it is a rare treat to see a working blacksmith. Photos/Videos can be taken and you can stroll through the workshop to view finished goods and the tools of the blacksmith. The most impressive area is the urn shaped hearth with white handles, which had a fire inside.

The blacksmith was working on a knife, and using his hammer to straighten it on the anvil. The sound of the hammer on the anvil and the smoky atmosphere made the shop feel as if it was transported back into ancient times. There were quite a few finished product hanging on the walls to view. We spent 15 minutes here and tried to stay away from the work area of the black smith whilst enjoying the experience. If you continue walking north on exiting the museum, several shops on the right have beautiful knives and metal craft.

The museum was opened in 1992, and is the only museum of this type in Uzbekistan. This is a must see as you are walking through the old city.

Day 4

 

Since 1982, the building has been a place for remarkable fine arts collection.

The museum consists of the following exhibitions:

The "Painting and Graphics" exhibition was established on the basis of painting, graphics, and sculpture collections. The exhibition is represented by the works of the Russian artists P. Benkov, Kurzin, and Vilkovir, who visited Central Asia in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It also displays the miniature paintings by Ahmad Donish, the famous Bukharan educator, artist, philosopher, writer and calligrapher, who lived in the second half of the 19th century. One could, too, discover the works by Sadriddin Pochchayev, the well-known miniature-painter and honored artist of Uzbekistan.

The exhibition possesses a number of pictures and sculpture samples by the contemporary Bukharan artists such as B. Salomov, A. Barnoyev, M. Abdullayev, N. Babayev, Z. Saidjanov, B. Gulov, K. Norkhurozov, and others, who by developing traditions of their predecessors represent a peculiar school of national painting and sculpture. While observing their works one could tell that Bukhara and its ancient history and unique culture serve as the main source of inspiration to create their works.

The "Ancient Jewelry Art of Bukhara" exhibition is represented by old masters' unique jewelry artifacts: the golden plate with the goddess image, golden earrings (1st c. B.C.-2nd c. A.D.), silver armlets (19th - 20th cc.), jewelry decorations, and crockery items made of silver and gild and inlayed with the precious stones (18th - 20th cc.).

The fine arts museum has the center for studying Arabic- written oriental manuscripts. The center was founded in 1990 to study and systematize the written legacy of Central Asia. The museum's reserves possess 3,454 rare manuscripts and documents (the 16th -20th cc.) written in Arabic, Persian-Tajik, and Chaghatay. The literary texts include various documents of judicial, legal, financial, and household character, covering five-century history of Central Asia.

Third day of practice.  As if in our practice it was only about historical places and there are also about museums.  We gathered near the Museum of Painting named after Kamoliddin Bekzod.  In each practice there are 2 girls who talk about these historical places with pride and admiration.  There were a lot of pictures and sculptures that are under the protection of the state.  Many famous artists come to Bukhara to see very old pictures of famous artists.  I very often visit the art museum to discuss how it was painted with wonderful colors.  I am very proud that I was proud in Bukhara because each lane has its own zest.

Day 3

Today is day 3 of practice with my favorite band.  Today we went to one of the pearls of the world fortress Ark.  We started our tour of the fortress at 10:30 am.  It was very wonderful. The last time I was here was 5 years ago with my mother.  Year after year, new products and exhibits.  Our years today were Nigora and Feruza, it was very interesting to hear how it was built, who ruled and the legends  about this fortress.

 

The Ark Citadel is an ancient symbol of state power.  It seems that since the very creation of the world, this huge fortress has been standing in the center of Bukhara, which has always been a protection and support for the Bukhara rulers.
 The history of Ark is still shrouded in mystery.  The age of Ark has not been established exactly, but, in any case, one and a half thousand years ago, this majestic fortress was already the seat of the ruler.  It was built by the efforts of thousands of slaves who created an artificial hill by hand, without powerful equipment, under the scorching sun many centuries ago.
 For centuries, the Ark remained the main residence of the Emir of Bukhara, the place from where the supreme command of the country was exercised.  Here, in the Ark, in addition to the rulers, great scientists, poets and philosophers lived and worked: Rudaki, Firdowsi, Avicenna, Farabi, Omar Khayyam.

Today, the Ark fortress is a huge open-air museum complex.  The territory of the fortress includes an archaeological museum, expositions of numismatics and epigraphy, a museum of Bukhara nature, the Childukhtaron mosque and the khonako Battol-Gozi.  In total, there are 8 museums on the territory of the historical and architectural complex "Arc Citadel", containing more than 80 thousand exhibits.  The most interesting places to visit:

 Exposition "Writing in Bukhara" in Jome Mosque.  Unique calligraphic tools and ancient books are presented.  Among them is the Koran handwritten in calligraphic handwriting.

 Archaeological Museum.  The museum exhibits finds from the entire existence of settlements on this site.  Moreover, the exposition is constantly replenished, excavations are ongoing in our time.

 Museum of Nature.  The exposition includes specimens of flora and fauna of the surroundings of Bukhara, models of irrigation facilities.

 Department of numismatics.  It presents unique samples of ancient coins that were in circulation in different periods of the history of Bukhara.

 Zindan prison.  A frightening-looking dungeon and a pit for the guilty.  The prison cell could hold up to 40 prisoners.

 Stable yard.  Utility room, where you can learn about the military equipment of horses and their role in the defense of the city.

 Throne Court.  A skillfully carved canopy is installed in the courtyard, under which the throne of the emirs of Bukhara was placed.

Day 2

There are two big blue domes of the Miri-Arab madrasah towering above the surrounding buildings in the center of Bukhara. Along with the Kalyan mosque and minaret, this religious educational establishment forms the whole ensemble Poi-Kalyan that is the spiritual center of the city. 

Construction of the Miri-Arab madrasah dates back to the 16th century and is related to the sheikh Abdallah Yamani (from Yemen), the spiritual pir (guide) of sheybanids. The exact date of the beginning of the construction is still unknown. According to one version, scientists believe that the building was erected in the period of 1530-1535/1536. The other version states, that the madrasah was built to celebrate the victory of the sheybanid army over the troops of the Sefevid shah Ismail I in the battle of Gijduvan in 1512. It is also supposed that the final construction works were carried out on the funds of Ubaydulla-khan; the money received from the sale of 3000 captive Iranians to slavery.

The second day of practice, no matter ho
w hard it was and it was very hot outside, we
As a group, we gathered near the Kalyan Minaret and began our tour of historical places. First, the girls who were appointed as guides told about the Miri Arab madrasah and the legends about the Kalyan minaret. Another plus is that now there is a festival of gold embroidery and jewelry crafts. Many thanks to our teacher Sabina Sharipovna, but the fact that she works so hard for us so that we 
become good teachers.

Day 1

 Today we started practical lessons, after difficult months of study. In the first case, of course, we chose the center of Bukhara, this is Labi House, since there are many tourists there and attractions are located here. Our task was to divide all the monuments into groups. Today we had two girls Salomat and Nozima who told us very interesting and new facts about Labi House and Nodirdevonbegi madrasah. The great thing is that we had interesting conversations with tourists. And in the end, I want to say that this is only the beginning, everything is still ahead.