Beneath the blue domes of Bukhara
Exploring an ancient silk road city with extremely well preserved facades and tilework in iconic shades of turquoise and sapphire contrasting the sun-baked clay.
Walking through the historic centre of Bukhara feels like stepping back in time. History is made tangible by the remnants left behind by skilled artisans. Numerous blue domes shimmering in the Central Asian sun, intricate patterns created by the countless mosaic tiles embedded in the facades, all the way to the elaborately crafted details on the wooden pillars.
Outside the historic centre we wander through countless narrow alleys, finding our way through a life-sized labyrinth. Walls rise on either side while gas pipelines criss-cross overhead. Eventually we find ourselves in a semi-abandoned theme park.
As night falls we return to the now radiant Kalyan Minaret. Although today it stands as a beacon of light, a darker past led to it also being known as the Tower of Death. As recently as 1920, it was used as a platform to subject criminals to a fatal plunge. On a happier note: that day's traditional Uzbek osh was so good that multiple portions were devoured.
