The Great Silk Road is a grandiose trade route that existed for about 17 centuries and unites most of the countries of the Eurasian continent. Over the course of several centuries, the trade highway expanded rapidly, leaving behind rich cities and settlements. In addition to caravans full of various goods and spices, pilgrims passed along the highway, spreading new ideas, and there was also a fusion of different cultures of peoples.
Uzbekistan, together with other countries of Central Asia, played a significant role in the development of the trade route and served as a kind of bridge connecting east and west. Cities such as Bukhara, Samarkand, Urgench, Khiva served as transit points and important centers of trade.
Samarkand
The Great Silk Road played an important role in the historical and cultural development of Samarkand.
During the development of the highway, many madrasas, palaces and mausoleums were built here, decorated in a unique oriental style. One of the most important architectural monuments of Samarkand is the ensemble on Registan Square, which includes Ulugbek Madrassah, Sherdor Madrassah and Tilla-Kari Madrassah, included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Bukhara
The history of Bukhara has more than 2500 years. Numerous architectural monuments preserved in Bukhara testify to the rapid cultural development of the region in the Middle Ages.
Since Bukhara was one of the main points of the Great Silk Road, there were more than 60 caravanserais where merchants stopped before going to the deserts of Kyzylkum and Karakum.
Such architectural monuments as the Poy-Kalyan ensemble and the Lyabi-House ensemble, built in the Middle Ages, have survived to this day and convey the unique flavor of the eastern peoples.
Khiva
Khiva is one of the ancient cities of Khorezm, located near the Karakum desert. The history of Khiva goes deep into the past and has more than 2500 years.
During the development of the Great Silk Road, Khiva was the center of the Khiva Khanate, as well as one of the main transit points. Here, on an area of 30 hectares, a whole city was built, which has survived to this day.
The Ichan-Kala complex impresses with its size, the height of the defensive walls is 8-10 meters, and the width is 5-6. Inside the complex there are more than 400 buildings and architectural monuments made in the traditional style. Here is the main citadel of the ruler of Kunya-Ark, the largest Khiva madrasah of Muhammad Amin Khan, the Kalta Minar minaret and many other historical buildings, many of which date back to the 14th century.
This object is a truly unique example of a medieval city and is listed by UNESCO.
Urgench
The city of Urgench is located in the Khorezm region of Uzbekistan, 30 km from the city of Khiva.
Since one of the branches of the Great Silk Road continued its way through the city of Urgench, a complex of defensive structures made of mud brick was built in the northeastern borders of Urgench to provide merchants with a safe place of residence and protection from external enemies. This fortress is called Kyzyl Kala, and its ruins have survived to this day and are the main attraction of the Khorezm region.
