TRAVEL TUESDAY 492 - BUKHARA, UZBEKISTAN

“If each city is like a game of chess, the day when I have learned the rules, I shall finally possess my empire, even if I shall never succeed in knowing all the cities it contains.” — Italo Calvino

Welcome to the Travel Tuesday meme! Join me every Tuesday and showcase your creativity in photography, painting and drawing, music, poetry, creative writing or a plain old natter about Travel.There is only one simple rule: Link your own creative work about some aspect of travel and share it with the rest of us. Please use this meme for your creative endeavours only.Do not use this meme to advertise your products or services as any links or comments by advertisers will be removed immediately.

Bukhara is the seventh-largest city in Uzbekistan by population, with 280,187 residents as of 1 January 2020. It is the capital of Bukhara Region. People have inhabited the region around Bukhara for at least five millennia, and the city has existed for half that time. Located on the Silk Road, the city has long served as a centre of trade, scholarship, culture, and religion. Bukhara served as the capital of the Khanate of Bukhara, Emirate of Bukhara and later Bukhara People’s Soviet Republic. It was the birthplace of the scholar Imam Bukhari. The city has been known as "Noble Bukhara" (Bukhārā-ye sharīf). Bukhara has about 140 architectural monuments. UNESCO has listed the historic centre of Bukhara (which contains numerous mosques and madrasas) as a World Heritage Site.

The region of Bukhara has a long and storied history that dates back to the ancient Silk Road. As a crucial trading hub, Bokhara was a melting pot of various cultures and influences, resulting in a rich artistic tradition that continues to this day. With the region's deep roots in trade and commerce, the craft of rug-making flourished in Bukhara. Rugs from this region are known for their distinctive Tekke design, named after the Tekke tribe of Central Asia. This design typically features a rich red base colour with repeating oval or diamond patterns. Bukhara rugs are usually made of wool, known for its durability and warmth. The knotting technique used is the Persian or Senneh knot, which allows for intricate detailing in the designs. The knot density of these rugs can vary, but they are generally very high, resulting in a plush, velvety feel.

Uzbek craftsmen nowadays still practice ancient jewellery-making techniques for cutting gemstones, grain filigree, granular work, engraving and enamelling, also they are trying to take into account fashion demands and styles. Embroidery is one of the most popular applied arts in Uzbekistan. Every city of Uzbekistan has its own unique features such as ornamentation, composition, colour range and stitching. The finest kind of embroidery, gold embroidery is still practised in Bukhara.