Bukhara today

Bukhara, once the noble city where light shone up from its streets, is now perhaps one of the most fascinating remnants of Russian and Soviet colonialism in Central Asia. Unlike other historic Silk Road locales, Bukhara has maintained much of the old charm while at the same time mourns that which was lost.

Since the beginning of Russian colonization in the late 1860's, much of Bukhara has been systematically 'cleaned up.' Water, plumbing, sewerage, electricity and natural gas are all benefits of the Russians and particularly the Soviets. The population is now literate and educated. Hospitals and clinics have been built. In general, conditions were raised from almost desperate to relatively prosperous.

During the Soviet era a vast number of historic buildings were destroyed. Mosques, meddrasahs, caravan sarays, bazaars, and the famous Bukhara pool system were torn down. Much of these were destroyed to reduce the influence of Islam in what was now an officially atheistic state. Others were destroyed to end capitalism. In a town that had known trading for a thousand years, communism was now king and the bazaars closed.

Despite the destruction the old city is more or less intact. Outside of the old city there are Soviet era buildings which are now being augmented by new "Uzbek" buildings of the independent era which began in 1991. However, in comparison to the still large amounts of old Islamic buildings, they are few, with the ancient dominating the skyline. The charm of Bukhara is to let your imagination run wild, picturing how it was in the days when the Emir was king, when camels and donkeys teemed the streets, when the bazaars were full of wares from Europe and China, when women were always veiled and everyone at pain of death was a Muslim

Unlike Samarkand, the Soviet buildings generally do not intrude on the historic. And unlike Khiva, the city is very much alive and well with families living in their family homes for generations.

Today you will find a city full of charm, mystery, excitement and beauty. Winter can be harshly cold with little cover from winds whipping through ancient alleys. Summers can be beastly hot with few trees to offer shade from the sun and dusty winds.

As always, the finest view in town may be enjoyed from the top of the Kolon Minaret. A benefit of Bukhara today is that tourists may go up this almost 900 year old structure and view historic, Russian/Soviet and new independent Bukhara.

 
  .::Home::. .::Arts::. .::Bukharan Jews::. .::Carpets::. .::Hotel::. .::Photo album::. .::Travel info::.