Uzbekistan: The Heart of Islamic Civilization

About the destination: Bukhara is one of the oldest cities in Central Asia. It was historically one of the great trading centres along the Silk Road, and its city centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. For a long period, the region of Bukhara formed part of the Persian Empire. The Kalyan Minaret, one of Bukhara’s great landmarks, was built to call Muslims to prayer five times a day, and the Khoja-Gaukushon complex is one of the largest ensembles in the city, comprising a mosque, minaret and madrasah.

About the destination: Samarkand, or Samarqand, is arguably the best-known city in modern Uzbekistan. Its historic city centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the city was one of the great stops on the Silk Road. Samarkand is a cultural treasure house of the peoples of the East, home to medieval architectural monuments of remarkable beauty and form that have survived to the present day. Registan Square is counted among the most beautiful squares in the world and is often described as the pearl of Central Asia. The Shakhi-Zinda Complex, one of Samarkand’s most intriguing and distinctive architectural ensembles, lies not far from the Bibi-Khanym Mosque.

About the destination: Tashkent is the capital and largest city of Uzbekistan, and one of the oldest cities in Central Asia, with a history spanning around 2,200 years. The city’s architecture is notable for its distinctive style, blending Central Asian traditions with the achievements of Islamic architecture and the influence of European urban planning from the late 18th century. Most of Tashkent’s main historical sights are located in the old, or Native, town. The most famous of these is the Khazrati Imam Complex. Tashkent is a city in renewal, offering many interesting places for visitors to explore.