The Ark is the oldest part of Bukhara: a fortress-city that served as the residence of the city’s rulers for centuries. Its high walls once enclosed a palace, a mosque and administrative buildings. Today its restored sections house museum exhibitions.

History and construction period

The citadel’s origins go back to the 5th century CE, while its present appearance largely took shape in the 16th century under the Shaybanids. The Ark remained the residence of Bukhara’s rulers until 1920, when much of it was destroyed in the fighting for the city.

Architectural features

The citadel forms an irregular rectangle: its outer walls run for roughly 790 metres and enclose an area of about 4 hectares. The walls rise 16–20 metres high. Inside, the throne room, the reception and coronation courtyard and a mosque have survived.

Location

In the northwestern part of the historic centre, on the east side of Registan Square. Open in maps

Visiting

The citadel houses several museum exhibitions. Opening hours and admission fees change, so check them on site or with an official source before your visit.

Explore more

Poi Kalon Ensemble · Samanid Mausoleum

Photos: Dmitriy Efimov (Unsplash), Mustafa Kurt (Pexels). Sources: UNESCO, Wikipedia.