Ark of Bukhara

The massive mud-brick fortress of Bukhara’s rulers, entered by a ramp between two tapering gate towers.

The Ark was almost a small town of its own, because the rulers of Bukhara and their courts lived inside. The earthen walls are 16 to 20 metres high, and the area inside is about 4 hectares. The present form began to develop in the 16th century under the Shaybanid dynasty, and all the buildings still standing were built in the last three centuries.

The gate and the ramp

The ceremonial entrance is framed by two tapering towers from the 18th century. Their upper parts are joined by a gallery, rooms and terraces. From the gate, a gently rising ramp leads through a covered corridor to the Juma mosque. The corridor also gives access to storerooms and prison cells. At the centre of the fortress stands a large group of buildings, and one of the best preserved is the Ul'dukhtaron mosque.

Legends and museums

Legend says that Prince Siyavash built the Ark and was buried there. Another story says the Ul'dukhtaron mosque is connected to forty girls who were tortured and thrown into a well; this is a legend, not proven history. Some designs are said to follow astrology: the palace has seven stone pillars for the seven stars of the Big Dipper (Ursa Major). Rooms now hold an archaeological museum, a throne room and a local history museum.

On the globe

The model shows the mud-brick fortress with its ramp between two tapering gate towers.