The legend of the construction of the Ark Fortress

2706

Amazing and fabulous, ancient and exotic, undoubtedly, originally oriental and magical - this is the "Noble abode" of the city of Bukhara. To feel all the antiquity of Bukhara and the magical atmosphere of the East, it is enough to plunge into the labyrinths of narrow streets and examine the ancient walls of houses, or, at least, feel the sweet air of an ancient bazaar soaked with an oriental bouquet of aromas. Falling in love with Bukhara forever is not difficult at all!
Ark Fortress From time immemorial, the city is surrounded by legends and myths. According to one legend, the settlement appeared on the site of the Ark fortress, built by the Persian Prince Siyavush. When the prince came to woo the daughter of King Afrasiab, the father set one condition for the young man.

The young man should erect a fortification on the territory where the skin of one bull was placed, in this case the wedding will take place. A resourceful young man came up with a way to build a structure, observing the conditions set. He cut the skin into thin strips, tied them together and built a smaller replica of the palace inside this circle. So the construction of a full-fledged citadel began at this place.
Throne room in the Ark fortress

The fortress of the Ark, around which the city of Bukhara arose, has survived to this day, although it has been rebuilt many times over several centuries. It is located on a raised embankment, the height of which reaches 20 meters, and the area of the fortress is 4.2 hectares. Initially, the fortress was a closed polygon, and its steep slopes were completely lined with blocks. Before the arrival of the Arabs to the lands of Bukhara, the Ark fortress served as the seat of the Bukhara rulers. During the reign of the Karakhanid dynasty and during the invasion of Genghis Khan, the fortress was repeatedly destroyed. And only in the XVI century, under the rule of the Sheibanid dynasty, the Ark took its final form.