For centuries Bukhara was the Centre of a densely populated Oasis. The history of the city counts more than 2500 years. As the Pearl of the Orient, Bukhara has preserved its relaxed atmosphere and offers more than 140 monuments of historical architecture, so that it remains a popular place for visitors.
It is said that in all Islamic cities a blessed light falls from the sky and only over Bukhara it will rise to the sky. Moreover, Bukhara is the only city in Central Asia whose history was almost completely documented by the famous 10th century historian – Narshakhi. In his works he said that no other city has so many names as Bukhara. In V century China it was called Nyumi, later in the sources of the Tang Empire it was called An, Anxi, Bukho and Bue. In history, however, it is most often mentioned under the name of Bukhara. According to etymologists, this name comes from the Sogdian “buharak”, which translated means “happy place”. Bukhara is also called the city of poetry and fairy tales, because the legends and stories surround the whole old town!
The mausoleum of Ismail Samani, covered like a spire, the majestic fortress of Ark as the fortress of the residence of the rulers of Bukhara, the minaret of Kalon, a lively labyrinth of numerous mosques and madrassas, caravanserais, baths – all these monuments of Bukhara are Pearl of the Orient.
