Phespirit goes to Uzbekistan
tour     May/June 2006

MOSQUE & MINARENT - Kalon, Bukhara

A mosque was first built on this site in 795. It was enlarged, collapsed twice, and finally burned to the ground in 1068. A successor was burned and razed by Genghis Khan in 1219. This current version was built in 1514 and further embellished in 1541. Its minaret dates from 1127 and is the enduring icon of ancient Bukhara. At 45m, it was the tallest free-standing tower in the world when built.

MAUSOLEUM - Ismael Samani, Bukhara

Amid the massive monuments of Bukhara, this early 10th century cubic mausoleum is an exquisite miniature.

Phespirit watched a visitor liberate a locust from within. Outside she allowed the insect spring forth from her cupped hands, only to see it intercepted mid-air and subsequently be eaten by a Myna Bird; it's nature's way.

MAUSOLEUM - Dorus Siadat, Shakhrisabz

Here Phespirit sits on the ruins of a mighty mausoleum commissioned by Timur for his eldest and favourite son, Jehangir, who was killed in 1375.

Timur also built a tomb for himself in these grounds, but he never occupied it. Instead, his bones rest in Samarkand.