The Architecture of Uzbekistan has been influenced by a diverse array of
architectural traditions such as Islamic architecture, Persian architecture, and
Russian architecture. Timurid architecture is the pinnacle of Islamic art in
Uzbekistan. Spectacular and stately edifices erected by Timur and his successors
in Samarkand and Herat helped to disseminate the influence of the Ilkhanid
school of art to India, thus, giving rise to the celebrated Moghol school of
architecture. Timurid architecture started with the sanctuary of Ahmad Yas-sawi
in present-day Kazakhstan and culminated hi Timur's mausoleum Gur-e Amir in
Samarkand, The style is largely derived from Persian architecture. For more
information go to www.wikipedia.org
Samarkand
The Timur Great conquered Persia, captured Baghdad, and lead expeditions to
Anatolia and India. Most of the architecture that is found in Samarkand was
build by Timur and his grandson Ulug'bek
Probably, the most impressive architecture mat remains from this period can be
found in Samarkand. Axial symmetry is a characteristic of all major Timurid
structures, notably the Shah-e Zendah and Registan in Samarkand . Double domes
of various shapes abound, and the outsides are perfused with brilliantly colors.
Timur filled his capital with both secular and religious monuments, as well as a
plethora of gardens, which featured stone walls and floors with elaborate
patterns and palaces outfit-ed with gold, silk and car-sets. Most of these
strucures have not survived to he present. There are also still extant examples
of buildings erected by subsequent Timurid rulers. As noted above, although they
did not share his passion for territorial expansion, they did inherit his love
of fine architecture.
"Interestingly enough, one of the principle Timurid builders was Gawhar Shad,
Shah Rukh's wife, who was responsible for a magnificent mosque at Meshed (built
between 1405 and 1418) and a mosque-madrasah-mausoleum complex in Herat
(1417-1437). Unfortunately, these structures are mostly in ruins today, largely
as a result of war and earthquakes over the last two centuries" wrote in his
research Mark Dickens, an independent researcher.
Dickens noted that the transition of the Timurid capital to Herat also moved the
architectural focus from Samarkand to that city. However, the Timurids still
continued to build in their founder's capital, especially Ulug'bek, who was
governor of the city under his father, Shah Rukh.
In addition, there are two important examples of Timurid architecture from the
period after Timur:
the "madrasah" and observatory of Ulug'bek (Ulugh Beg), Most experts of the
architectural art consider them as a great work of architecture, and believe
that they are unique in its complexity and its ambitiousness. They ranked among
the best work of that period. It should be noted that the observatory was built
in 1428.
Bukhara
Following Samarkand, Bukhara is the next ancient city with many architectural
buildings. Bukhara has been one of the main centres of Iranian civilization
during its history. Its architecture and archaeologicat sites form one of the
pillars of the Persian history and art.
Extensive construction activity was accompanied by progressive construction
techniques, Massive buildings were sull made of adobe (pakhsa), using day and
frame systems and flat wooden roofs.
Objects of monumental construction involved some innovations; for instance,
kiln-dried bricks were utilized in the brickwork of walls and the system of
domes. The use of kiln-dried bricks made possible both greater durability and an
ever-increasing scale of buildings, thus giving an impressive effect to many
buildings. Bricks were used as decorative materials, in addition to being
primary building materials. Pattern-forming brickwork provided a rich geometric
ornamentalism to facades and interiors. The process of kiln drying large slabs
of day led to the emergence of ornamental terracotta, for which masters used
geometric and vegetal patterns, along with inscriptions using the Arabic Kufi
and Maskhi scripts. Gypsum and wood carving, as well as ornamental mural
painting in interiors were common methods from pre-Is-lamic times, when such
decoration was practiced. One further achievement in the field of architectural
decoration of the eleventh and twelfth centuries was the application of glazed
bricks and slabs of glazed ornamental terracotta.
Geometric patterns (girikh) dominated the decorative practice from the tenth to
twelfth centuries. This Arabic term refers to both the basic element of
geometric patterns and the patterns themselves, The developmental level of
girikh coincided with the rise of mathematics and other exact sciences in the
Muslim-Orient at that time. In particular, the study of geometry was applied
widely in architecture. It was not only useful in developing pattern systems,
but also the overall proportions of structures, so that the buildings developed
a sense of balanced oneness. In training skilled professional architects, it was
necessary to master these methods. In Bukhara, architectural monuments built
from the tenth through the twentieth centuries have survived to present days.
Bukhara is a "living" city, and its buildings are in use in its everyday life.
Thus, it has so many significant buildings - Modem Bukhara looks like a collage
with its historical monuments and modern buildings. For details refer to
www.advantour.com
Tashkent
Tashkent is one of the ancient cities appeared on the cross of the Great Silk
Road from China to Europe First information about Tashkent as city settling is
in the ancient east sources of the second century before A.D. Already in the
ancient times advantageous geographical location and favorable climate make
Tashkent one of the main points at the trade road of "the Great Silk Road" In
support of this suggestion by archaeologists of Uzbekistan in the south part of
modern Tashkent, irrigated by the Jun River, were found remains of the settling
of city type-Shashtepa Ruins of defensive armed wall, round citadel with
building rrom the moisture bncks and pahsa inside it were discovered Outside
defensive wall of citadel included inside vaulted corridor and was designed
outside with tower shape ledges, which means it was built taking into
consideration fortification motion of its time
The main square of the old city market-Chorsu Square-appeared in 9th century
Trade Roads came to Chorsu from all gates, transforming to market streets This
square was transport flyover and trade place
In the 6th century one of the honourable edifices, Kukildosh Madrasah, was built
there Chorsu mahallya, Tikanh mazar, Chukur village were situated on the modern
part of Chorsu Square In the modern period Chorsu has been reconstructed GUM,
Central City Drugstore, Chorsu Hotel and other constructions of modern
architecture were built Mahallya appeared around old squares and market streets,
which in most cases were called by the activities of craftspeople.
Since Tashkent was the city of rich merchants and craftspeople big architectural
buildings were mainly tied-up with constructions and design of caravanserais,
mosques, and mausoleums.
The earliest buildings that reached our time are mausoleums, appeared along the
caravan roads, they were devoted to saint sheikhs, and they were not only the
places of worship, begging luck in life and trade work, but also original
landscape, decorating long boring way on the desert roads.
In Tashkent City and along the routes to it remained some ten of such
mausoleums.
Today's architectures are well worked to modernize the city of Tashkent In the
city a number of hotels which undoubtedly meet the international standards have
been built Besides, many parks and wide roads are adding the extra beauty to the
city From the ancient times Uzbek builders have been creating "lively art" by
making long-lasting modern and ancient architectural constructions The styles of
the present architects are more likely to the styles of their ancestors They are
reconstructing old edifices At the same time they are designing and building
constructions in the style with the national spirit.
By Olimjon Berdiev Uzbekistan Today ?. 3 (14) January 19, 2007
