Ark Fortress

Ark Fortress is a reinforced palace of Bukhara’s rulers since end of XVI to beginning of XX centuries.  The area of the Ark is 4.2 hectares and surrounded by 20 meters high wall. The wall has two gates; eastern gates – Gurian and western- Registan. Registan gates led to the Main Square of the city, where people gathered to greet governors, celebrate Muslim feasts and state decrees were also proclaimed here. The entry to the Ark goes through the corridor- ramp. Rooms for water and food storage were situated astride the corridor. Some rooms were used as cells for prisoners.

Nowadays, some yards and buildings remained in the Ark.  Among them are rooms, where emirs and their families were accommodated. The very impressive is a throne room under the open sky. The crowning of emirs took place here. In the western part of the room is located a marble throne under the wooden baldachin, were Bukhara’s emirs set.  A mosque built in XIX century remained Inside the Ark. The most interesting are carved columns bearing the wooden construction of the ceiling in summer balcony (aivan) of the mosque.  Originally, these columns were decorated with variegated ornaments.

In the Ark remained a former courtyard of prime-minister and stables. Presently, a regional history museum takes place of the spaces mentioned above.

The eastern part of the Ark is decayed. Scientists and archeologists made excavations here several times. Thanks to these works and finds was established the age of Bukhara and proved that the city has not changed its location for more than two thousand years.