The Great Silk Road once passed through the territory of modern Uzbekistan. Its cities became a haven for representatives of various nationalities, and their inhabitants absorbed, like a sponge, all the best and most advanced achievements that foreigners brought. Multiplied by their own talents and skills, the new experience bore fruit, and the culture of Uzbekistan became one of the most significant in Central Asia.
UNESCO on guard of monuments
Tourists going to Uzbekistan, first of all, strive to see the magnificent monuments of its medieval architecture. UNESCO has chosen to include some of them in its World Heritage List in order to preserve the unique creations of architects and builders:
- The key point of the Great Silk Road is the ancient city of Samarkand, which also served as the capital of Tamerlane's empire. It was founded eight centuries before the onset of a new era, and the famous architectural monuments - the Bibi Khanum mosque, the Shahi Zinda ensemble or the Ugulbek Madrasah - make the hearts of many generations of travelers beat with excitement.
- The historical center of the city of Bukhara, whose age is clearly more than two and a half thousand years. The main architectural relics are the Ark fortress and the Samanid mausoleum.
- The inner city of Khiva, called Ichan-Kala and built no later than the 14th century.
- The old center of Shakhrisabz, founded more than 2700 years ago. It is of particular importance in the culture of Uzbekistan, as it is the birthplace of Tamerlane.
Preserved over the centuries
One of the most important areas of Uzbekistan's culture is the fine arts, especially landscape painting, which served as an adornment for palaces and buildings. The Central Asian school of miniature, which arose in Bukhara, reached a special flourishing in the XIV century, and its best masterpieces are associated with the brilliant artist Bekhzod. Indian and Chinese motives are traced in the works of miniaturists, which emphasizes the importance of the country's geographical location for the development of the culture of Uzbekistan.
No less important is the art of carpet weaving, which is also a kind of painting. Craftswomen from Samarkand and Bukhara created carpets whose artistic value reaches the highest marks. Modern needlewomen carefully keep the secrets of great-grandmothers and make silk and woolen carpets according to the drawings of ancient artists, thereby allowing the fine thread that connects many generations not to be interrupted.
