Ark of Bukhara

Bukhara, Bukhara Region, Uzbekistan

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The Ark of Bukhara, a massive mud-brick fortress in Bukhara, Uzbekistan's Bukhara Region, dates back to the 5th century AD as the oldest structure in the city, originally encompassing about 4 hectares on an artificial hill rising 20 meters above Registan Square and serving as the residence for rulers over 2,500 years, housing up to 3,000 people including emirs, officials, harems, treasuries, mosques, and prisons.

Its irregular rectangular walls, pierced by a grand 18th-century western gate with twin towers and a ceremonial ramp leading to the Juma Mosque, endured reconstructions through Zoroastrian, Arab, Samanid, Mongol, and Shaybanid eras, with key surviving elements like the Ulugbek Madrasa, Kurinishkhana throne room, and Uldukhtaron Mosque tied to legends of tortured princesses. 

This UNESCO-recognized symbol of power, once the heart of Bukhara's shahristan suburbs, now functions as a museum showcasing artifacts, restored interiors, and panoramic views, blending defensive architecture with opulent Central Asian history amid the Silk Road hub.​