DEHUROEN

Plizio Visual Lab

Ark of Bukhara

Plizio editorial teamData Sources
historical-site
—°4
Ark of Bukhara (Uzbekistan)

Weather…

The Ark of Bukhara is the city's oldest structure, having served for over a millennium as the fortified residence of the Emirs of Bukhara. Its massive earthen ramparts enclose an area of approximately 4 hectares, reaching heights of up to 20 meters. Archaeological evidence indicates that the first fortifications were established on this site as early as the 5th century AD. Within these walls once lay a self-contained city featuring palaces, workshops, armories, a mosque, and a prison. During the Red Army's assault led by Mikhail Frunze in 1920, a significant portion of the inner buildings was destroyed by fire and heavy bombardment. Today, the reconstructed parts of the citadel house several museums documenting regional history from antiquity to the early 20th century. The monumental western gate, flanked by two 18th-century towers, remains the most iconic symbol of the fortress's enduring power.

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Apr, May, Sep.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Avg °C13101725303229231571
Rain mm1627272310200051513

📋 Practical info

🚪
Visiting
The Ark of Bukhara is open to the public as a historical site and can be visited for an entrance fee. Part of the complex houses a museum.
🕒
Typical hours
The museum and fortress are typically open from 9:00 to 18:00. In summer months, opening hours may be extended.
📷
Photography
Photography inside the museum is often allowed without flash. A permit is required for tripod shots.
⏱️
Time needed
Allow at least 1.5 to 2 hours for the fortress and museum. The adjacent Bolo Haus square and Bukhara's old town require extra time.
➕
Combine with
The Ark is central in Bukhara, great to combine with the Samanid Mausoleum and Kalon Mosque. A stroll through the Lyab-i Hauz complex rounds off the visit.
🧭
Getting there
Bukhara is reachable by train or plane from Tashkent. The fortress is in the historic center, easily accessible on foot.
💡
Insider tip
Visit the Ark early in the morning to avoid crowds. The view from the walls at sunset is particularly rewarding.

Geography

Coordinates
39.77800, 64.41090

Facts

  • The fortress was constructed on a manually raised artificial hill.
  • The total length of the outer walls is approximately 790 meters.
  • Most of the inner buildings were destroyed by aerial strikes in 1920.
  • The coronation hall of the Emirs is located in the northwestern part of the Ark.
  • The earliest traces of human settlement on the site date to the 4th century BC.
  • The monumental western gate was built in the 18th century under the Mangit dynasty.

Explore nearby

Notable places around

Bolo Hauz MosqueBolo Hauz Mosque<1 km · SExplore →
Chor MinorChor Minor2 km · NExplore →
Sitorai Mokhi-KhosaSitorai Mokhi-Khosa4 km · NEExplore →
Jeyran EcocenterJeyran Ecocenter24 km · SWExplore →
Bukhara Deer Breeding CenterBukhara Deer Breeding Center28 km · SWExplore →
GijduvanGijduvan32 km · NEExplore →
Lake TudakulLake Tudakul47 km · NExplore →
Tudakul LakeTudakul Lake49 km · NExplore →

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

Vehicle
Only stops with (optional):

© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService

Sights in the town Ark of Bukhara (4)

Minora📍 landmark

A small tower or minaret-like structure located near the historic citadel of Bukhara.

Ark of Bukhara📍 landmark

A massive 5th-century earthwork fortress that once served as the residence of the Emirs of Bukhara.

Imom Abu Hafs Kabir maqbarasi📍 landmark

The mausoleum of a significant Islamic scholar featuring traditional Central Asian brick architecture.

Buxoro Mol Bozori🎭 culture

A traditional livestock market where farmers from the Bukhara region trade sheep and cattle.

Sights nearby

Frequently asked questions

What is the Ark citadel?
A fortress of the emirs of Bukhara.
What can you see inside?
Museums and historical rooms.
Is it worth a visit?
Yes, for history enthusiasts.
How long does it take?
About 1 to 2 hours.
Best time of day?
Late afternoon for photos.
Ark of Bukhara: where is it located?
Ark of Bukhara is located in Uzbekistan.
Ark of Bukhara: what is there to see?
Highlights include Minora, Ark of Bukhara, Imom Abu Hafs Kabir maqbarasi.
Ark of Bukhara: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Apr, May, Sep.
Ark of Bukhara: why is it worth visiting?
The Ark of Bukhara is the city's oldest structure, having served for over a millennium as the fortified residence of the Emirs of Bukhara.
View on map → The Top 50 Attractions → OpenStreetMap →
Asia
Explore with Plizio Discover more places in Asia
More places in Uzbekistan →

Nearby cities

Bukhara — Ark of Bukhara (Uzbekistan)
Bukhara
Historical city on the Silk Road with countless mosques and madrasas.
Tudakul Lake — Ark of Bukhara (Uzbekistan)
Tudakul Lake
A massive saltwater reservoir in the Kyzylkum Desert, known as a recreational area for water sports, fishing, and luxury resorts.
Saýat — Ark of Bukhara (Uzbekistan)
Saýat
A city southeast of Türkmenabat characterized by cotton cultivation.

History & landmarks

Gijduvan — Ark of Bukhara (Uzbekistan)
Gijduvan
The center of Uzbek ceramic art, famous for its unique pottery school and the historic Ulugbek Madrasah.
Bolo Hauz Mosque — Ark of Bukhara (Uzbekistan)
Bolo Hauz Mosque
An impressive mosque opposite the Ark Citadel, known for its porch with fine carved wooden pillars.
Magok-i-Attari — Ark of Bukhara (Uzbekistan)
Magok-i-Attari
One of the oldest surviving mosques in Bukhara, situated below ground level and showing pre-Islamic influences.
Sitorai Mokhi-Khosa — Ark of Bukhara (Uzbekistan)
Sitorai Mokhi-Khosa
The summer palace of the last Emir of Bukhara fascinatingly combines Oriental and Russian architectural styles.

Nature

Lake Tudakul — Ark of Bukhara (Uzbekistan)
Lake Tudakul
An oasis lake in the desert near Bukhara, known for its rich birdlife and as a resort.
Zarafshan River — Ark of Bukhara (Uzbekistan)
Zarafshan River
An important river that flows through Samarkand and Bukhara, acting as the lifeblood of these historic oasis cities.

More places

Po-i-Kalyan — Ark of Bukhara (Uzbekistan)
Po-i-Kalyan
An architectural complex in the center of Bukhara, famous for its impressive minaret that even Genghis Khan spared.
Lyab-i-Hauz — Ark of Bukhara (Uzbekistan)
Lyab-i-Hauz
A picturesque square in Bukhara built around a historic pool (Hauz), surrounded by ancient madrasahs.
Samanid Mausoleum — Ark of Bukhara (Uzbekistan)
Samanid Mausoleum
An architectural jewel in Bukhara, considered one of the oldest and most important buildings in Central Asian architecture.
Chor Minor — Ark of Bukhara (Uzbekistan)
Chor Minor
A charming and unusual gatehouse in Bukhara, known for its four distinctive blue-tiled domes.
Jeyran Ecocenter — Ark of Bukhara (Uzbekistan)
Jeyran Ecocenter
A specialized nature reserve for the breeding and conservation of rare desert animals, particularly the goitered gazelle.
Bukhara Deer Breeding Center — Ark of Bukhara (Uzbekistan)
Bukhara Deer Breeding Center
A critical facility for the rescue of the endemic Bukhara deer, which is closely tied to the ecosystem of river oases.
🗺️
Bukhara Oil Refinery
One of the country's main oil refineries, producing high-quality fuels and lubricants.