An oasis on the Silk Road, Bukhara grew wealthy on trade and nearby gold and silver mines. The city was long a center of trade, culture and religion. By the Middle Ages, Bukhara was the pre-eminent Islamic center of education. Avicenna (980-1037 AD), the foremost physician and philosopher of his time, taught here. By the 1100s, Bukhara was ringed by almost 200 miles of clay walls with 11 gates. One of the most unique features of this desert capital is an interconnected canal system with 114 water reservoirs. Lyabi-Hauz is the largest pool, built in 1620, with dimensions of 45 by 40 yards and 16 feet deep. It is where my group relaxed under the shade of the trees while we dined upon lamb kebabs, of which I highly recommend ordering lamb in this country. Across from the pool is a massive rectangular dervish hotel, the Khanaka and Madrasah of Nadir Divan-Beghi, a gift to the city for Sufis to stay and meditate. Find more at http://www.delightinhim.com/uzbekistan-entry-4-kalyn-mosque-bukhara-.html
Comments