Kunya-Urgench in Kunya-Urgench, Turkmenistan
Kunya-Urgench is situated in north-western Turkmenistan, on the left bank of the Amu Daria River. Urgench was the capital of the Khorezm region, part of the Achaemenid Empire. The old town contains a series of monuments mainly from the 11th to 16th centuries, including a mosque, the gates of a caravanserai, fortresses, mausoleums and a 60-m high minaret. The monuments testify to outstanding achievements in architecture and craftsmanship whose influence reached Iran and Afghanistan, and later the architecture of the Mogul Empire of 16th-century India.
Kunya-Urgench is located in the territory of Dashoguz velayat of Turkmenistan. It is situated in the north-western Turkmenistan, on the left bank of the Amu-Daria River. Urgench was the capital of the Khorezm region, which was part of the Achaemenid Empire.
The old town area contains series of monuments mainly from the 11th to 16th centuries. This area has remained a vast deserted land with some remains of ancient fortified settlements, including a mosque, the gates of a caravanserai, fortresses, mausoleums and a 60-m high minaret.
On the sample of Kunya-Urgench monuments one can see all variety of methods and décor of Islamic architecture of Central Asia. There are constructions from adobe and burned bricks, plain unicameral dome constructions up-going to ancient chartak and buildings with complicated compositions, sometimes with а long history of development, repair and reconstruction. These monuments also demonstrate the evolution of methods of treatment of inner surface of domes from cellular sails to stalactite those times called “muqarnas” and brought to the highest perfection by local masters. The best monuments of this city are distinguished by high degree of decorativeness. They provide prominent examples of classical arabesques in monochrome terra-cotta and bright colorfulness of enamel.
The monuments testify to outstanding achievements in architecture and craftsmanship whose influence reached Iran and Afghanistan, and later the architecture of the Mogul Empire of 16th-century India. The Islamic sacred objects concentrated in this city are exceptionally popular places for pilgrims and serve attractive objects for the international tourism.
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Turkmenistan/Konye Urgench Part 26
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Konye-Urgench
Located on the south side of the Amu-Darya River, Old Ürgenç was situated on one of the most important medieval paths: the Silk Road, the crossroad of western and eastern civilisations. It is one of the most important archaeological sites in Turkmenistan, lying within a vast zone of protected landscape and containing a large number of well-preserved monuments, dating from the 11th to the 16th centuries. They comprise mosques, the gates of a caravanserai, fortresses, mausoleums and a minaret, and the influence of their architectural style and craftsmanship reached Iran, Afghanistan and the later architecture of the Mogul Empire of 16th-century India.
Kunya Urgench is a municipality of about 30,000 inhabitants in north Turkmenistan, just south from its border with Uzbekistan. It is the site of the ancient town of Ürgenç (Urgench), which contains the ruins of the capital of Khwarazm, a part of the Achaemenid Empire. Its inhabitants deserted the town in the 1700s in order to develop a new settlement, and Kunya-Urgench has remained undisturbed ever since. In 2005, the ruins of Old Urgench were inscribed on the UNESCO List of World Heritage Sites.
Uzbekistan/Beautiful Khiva City Walls Part 2
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Khiva-Uzbekistan
Though Khiva is about 2500 years old, it acquired its present appearance in the 18th – early 20th centuries. Khiva consists of two urban parts: the inner town Ichan-Kala and the outer town Dishan-Kala. From the very beginning the core of the city –Ichan-Kala, rectangular in plan, was enclosed in fortification walls.
For centuries these walls served ideally the purpose of the town’s defense. But in 1220 they were destroyed by Mongol invaders and in later period gentle slopes of the collapsed walls were used for burying the dead. In 1790 the wall was rebuilt by order of Khiva’s khan Muhammad-Amin-Inak. It was 1200 meters long, 7-8 meters high and about 6 meters thick at the base. Since Khiva stood at an important intersection of the Great Silk Road, there were built four monumental gates directing north, south, east and west. Ark-Darvoza gate located next to Kunya-Ark Citadel let in the caravans from the west. Kosh-Darvoza (‘Double Gate’) with two entrance arches faced south. Tash-Darvoza (‘Stone Gate) was built in the northern part of the city.
The most remarkable is the eastern gate Palvan-Darvoza (‘Hero Warrior’s Gate’), through which ran the road to the Amu Darya River and to the ancient trade town Khazarasp. The survived marble slab above the arch of the gate shows the date the construction was completed: 1221 anno hegirae (1806). Adjoining the gate is the gallery with six domes – a shopping arcade. Soon after the gate had been built, near it there appeared Allakuli-Khan Madrassah, caravanserai and a tim domed trading center. This was also the place where executions used to be carried out. Next to the gate, behind the Ichan-Kala walls, there was the Asian largest slave market. In 1842 a new fortification wall around larger area was built. Supervised by Mahammad Yakub Mekhtar, the construction was completed within 30 days. The wall was 6 kilometers long; it had 10 gates and a lot of turrets. Three out-of-town gardens – Rafanik, Nurullabay and Nurullabek – became part of the town. The larger ring of the town was then called Dishan-Kala (‘Outer Fortress’). Today only separate parts of this unique fortification structure remain. Yet these strong pahsa adobe walls narrowing to the top, are rather impressive. Every 30-50 meters along the length of the wall there are semicircular watching turrets; they seem to support the wall with their abutments. Looking at Khiva’s walls it is hard to believe that outside this well-preserved medieval town is the 21st century.
Uzbekistan/Khiva (Main Street) Part 4
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Khiva-Uzbekistan
Though Khiva is about 2500 years old, it acquired its present appearance in the 18th – early 20th centuries. Khiva consists of two urban parts: the inner town Ichan-Kala and the outer town Dishan-Kala. From the very beginning the core of the city –Ichan-Kala, rectangular in plan, was enclosed in fortification walls.
For centuries these walls served ideally the purpose of the town’s defense. But in 1220 they were destroyed by Mongol invaders and in later period gentle slopes of the collapsed walls were used for burying the dead. In 1790 the wall was rebuilt by order of Khiva’s khan Muhammad-Amin-Inak. It was 1200 meters long, 7-8 meters high and about 6 meters thick at the base. Since Khiva stood at an important intersection of the Great Silk Road, there were built four monumental gates directing north, south, east and west. Ark-Darvoza gate located next to Kunya-Ark Citadel let in the caravans from the west. Kosh-Darvoza (‘Double Gate’) with two entrance arches faced south. Tash-Darvoza (‘Stone Gate) was built in the northern part of the city.
The most remarkable is the eastern gate Palvan-Darvoza (‘Hero Warrior’s Gate’), through which ran the road to the Amu Darya River and to the ancient trade town Khazarasp. The survived marble slab above the arch of the gate shows the date the construction was completed: 1221 anno hegirae (1806). Adjoining the gate is the gallery with six domes – a shopping arcade. Soon after the gate had been built, near it there appeared Allakuli-Khan Madrassah, caravanserai and a tim domed trading center. This was also the place where executions used to be carried out. Next to the gate, behind the Ichan-Kala walls, there was the Asian largest slave market. In 1842 a new fortification wall around larger area was built. Supervised by Mahammad Yakub Mekhtar, the construction was completed within 30 days. The wall was 6 kilometers long; it had 10 gates and a lot of turrets. Three out-of-town gardens – Rafanik, Nurullabay and Nurullabek – became part of the town. The larger ring of the town was then called Dishan-Kala (‘Outer Fortress’). Today only separate parts of this unique fortification structure remain. Yet these strong pahsa adobe walls narrowing to the top, are rather impressive. Every 30-50 meters along the length of the wall there are semicircular watching turrets; they seem to support the wall with their abutments. Looking at Khiva’s walls it is hard to believe that outside this well-preserved medieval town is the 21st century.
Uzbekistan/Khiva Old City Part 3
Welcome to my travelchannel. ☛☛☞☛
On my channel you can find more than 1000 films of almost 80 countries. See the playlist on my youtube channel.Enjoy!
Khiva-Uzbekistan
Though Khiva is about 2500 years old, it acquired its present appearance in the 18th – early 20th centuries. Khiva consists of two urban parts: the inner town Ichan-Kala and the outer town Dishan-Kala. From the very beginning the core of the city –Ichan-Kala, rectangular in plan, was enclosed in fortification walls.
For centuries these walls served ideally the purpose of the town’s defense. But in 1220 they were destroyed by Mongol invaders and in later period gentle slopes of the collapsed walls were used for burying the dead. In 1790 the wall was rebuilt by order of Khiva’s khan Muhammad-Amin-Inak. It was 1200 meters long, 7-8 meters high and about 6 meters thick at the base. Since Khiva stood at an important intersection of the Great Silk Road, there were built four monumental gates directing north, south, east and west. Ark-Darvoza gate located next to Kunya-Ark Citadel let in the caravans from the west. Kosh-Darvoza (‘Double Gate’) with two entrance arches faced south. Tash-Darvoza (‘Stone Gate) was built in the northern part of the city.
The most remarkable is the eastern gate Palvan-Darvoza (‘Hero Warrior’s Gate’), through which ran the road to the Amu Darya River and to the ancient trade town Khazarasp. The survived marble slab above the arch of the gate shows the date the construction was completed: 1221 anno hegirae (1806). Adjoining the gate is the gallery with six domes – a shopping arcade. Soon after the gate had been built, near it there appeared Allakuli-Khan Madrassah, caravanserai and a tim domed trading center. This was also the place where executions used to be carried out. Next to the gate, behind the Ichan-Kala walls, there was the Asian largest slave market. In 1842 a new fortification wall around larger area was built. Supervised by Mahammad Yakub Mekhtar, the construction was completed within 30 days. The wall was 6 kilometers long; it had 10 gates and a lot of turrets. Three out-of-town gardens – Rafanik, Nurullabay and Nurullabek – became part of the town. The larger ring of the town was then called Dishan-Kala (‘Outer Fortress’). Today only separate parts of this unique fortification structure remain. Yet these strong pahsa adobe walls narrowing to the top, are rather impressive. Every 30-50 meters along the length of the wall there are semicircular watching turrets; they seem to support the wall with their abutments. Looking at Khiva’s walls it is hard to believe that outside this well-preserved medieval town is the 21st century.
National food of Uzbekistan
Tashkent – Urgench - Khiva – Bukhara – Samarkand – Tashkent
8 days / 7 nights
Itinerary:
Day 1, Tashkent
00:15 Fly from Istanbul by TK368
06:50 Arrival at Tashkent Airport. You will be met and transferred to hotel. Hotel check-in. Breakfast. Resting time.
P.M. Sightseeing in Tashkent:
Sightseeing tour of Tashkent to the old and new parts of the city: Amir Timur Square, Theatre Square with the Opera House, Applied Art Museum, Earthquake Memorial, Abdul Kasim Madrassah and Alisher Navoi National Park, Independence Square, Khast Imam Square – a religious center of the city consisting of the Barakkhan madrasah, Kaffal Shashi Mausoleum and the library of Islamic Literature with the Holy Koran Book of the VII century.
Day 2, Tashkent – Urgench-Khiva
Early breakfast.
Transfer to domestic flights terminal.
07:00 Fly to Urgench by Uzbekistan Airways flight HY1051
08:40 Arrival at Urgench Airport. Transfer to Khiva (30 км). Hotel check-in.
Start sightseeing in the old part of Khiva – Ichan Kala known as “Inner town”. Ichan Kala which is the biggest open air museum in Central Asia consists of the following architectural monuments: Ata Darbaza (West Gate), Kunya Ark, Muhammad Rakhim-Khan Madrassa, Muhammad Aminkhan Madrassa, Kalta Minor Minaret, Jome Mosque and Minaret, Islam Khodja Madrassa and Minaret, Said Alauddin Mausoleum, Pahlavan Mahmud Mausoleum, the last Khiva Khan Allakulikhan’s Madrassa and Tosh Hovli Palace where was the harem with 40 concubines, Caravanserai and Tim Allakulikhan.
Day 3, Khiva – Bukhara
Breakfast in the hotel. Today you will have a long drive from Khiva to Bukhara via the Kizilkum desert (475 км). Stop en route near the Amudarya River. Upon arrival in Bukhara check–in at the hotel. Free time.
Day 4, Bukhara
Breakfast in the hotel.
City tour along the old part of Bukhara including visits to the Mausoleum of Samanids, Bolo Hauz Mosque and the Ark Fortress – the oldest citadel dating back to I century BC, Poi Kalon Square with Kalon Minaret and Mosque, Mir Arab Madrassa. There are three trading domes or so called covered bazaars preserved from the XVI century and these bazaars were the centers for trade of silk, jewelry and even for money exchange. Today as well, one can enjoy and purchase different souvenirs of a wide range, from small souvenir magnets to the famous Bukhara carpets. Ulughbek and Abdulazizkhan Madrassas, Abdullakhan’s Tim and a visit to the Caravanserai Sayfuddin which is the Center of Handicraft Development of Bukhara. Magoki Attari Mosque. Lyabi Hauz is the center of old Bukhara and it is an architectural complex of the XVII century that includes Nadir Divanbegi Madrassa and Khanaqa, Kukeldash Madrassa and the monument of the famous historical comedian figure Khodja Nasreddin is also based in this square.
Night in the hotel.
Day 5, Bukhara –Samarkand
Breakfast in the hotel.
A.M. Free time.
P.M. Transfer to Samarkand. On the way, near town Gijduvan, you may visit to famous Uzbek pottery master Abdulla’s workshop. There you may see process of making ceramics and buy some of them. Arrival to Samarkand. Check in at the hotel. Resting time;
Day 6, Samarkand
Breakfast.
Start sightseeing in Samarkand with a visit to the famous Registan Square – heart of Samarkand and real masterpiece of Central Asian medieval architecture, consists of three grandiose buildings: Ulughbek Madrassa, Madrassa Sherdor and Madrassa Tilla Kori. After Registan you will visit Gur Emir Mausoleum – a burial vault of Timurids dynasty; Bibi Khanim Mosque – the biggest medieval building in the city; Shahi Zinda Necropolis – unique complex of Mausoleums; Ulugbek’s Observatory – one of the most important astronomical centers;
Samarkand local bazaar - Siyab