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UZBEKISTAN

On the road of the ancient silk road, following Marco Polo’s footsteps. Khiva, Bukhara and Samarkand delight the eye with fantastic medressa, mausoleums and minarets. Uzbekistan is the country with the richest artistic heritage of Central Asia but what makes it truly unique is the sincere hospitality of the locals. Do not miss a visit to the Aral Sea where the greatest environmental disaster in history took place, clearly planned by the Soviet regime.

All photos and articles in this Travel Blog are by Andrea Marchegiani.

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Uzbekistan Travel Blog

All you need to know before you travel to Uzbekistan. A travel blog with editorials, tips and anecdotes about my adventures in the world!

Uzbekistan

Aral Sea, Story of a Ghost Lake

The Aral Sea was a salt lake of oceanic origin, formed 5.5 million years ago and located in an area ranging from Uzbekistan to Kazakhstan. Although it has not completely disappeared, today we talk about it in the past. In only 60 years, man has succeeded in destroying his delicate ecosystem, leaving instead a desolate poisoned desert. Not surprisingly, Al Gore called it “the most serious environmental disaster of all time caused by man”.

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14 January 2023 No Comments
Uzbekistan

Nukus, Savitsky Museum. The Louvre of the Steppe

In times of adversity, when all seems lost, history teaches there is always someone who does not give up, in spite of all evidence. People like that become an inspiration, and sometimes their efforts really make a difference. As happens in Nukus, where there is one of the largest Soviet art museums of the 900. The works escaped the censorship of the Stalin regime only thanks to the courage of a man, Igor Savitsky.

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14 January 2023 No Comments
Uzbekistan

Khiva, a jewel on the Silk Road

In many respects, Central Asia is still uncharted territory. For centuries this area has remained inaccessible to Westerners: that’s why it is still surrounded by a halo of mystery, relegated to an unknown elsewhere. Khiva is one of the most fascinating cities of Uzbekistan: it was founded by legendary Shem, the son of Noah, at the point where he found water by digging a well. Its old town, surrounded by a high wall of raw bricks, is so well preserved that it became a UNESCO heritage site in 1990.

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15 January 2023 No Comments
Uzbekistan

Toprak Kala, the capital of Khorezm

Visit the ruins of Topraq Kala and Ayaz Kala, Uzbekistan. The ancient capital of the Kushan kingdom and the fortresses defending its borders are now exposed to the elements and are likely to disappear altogether. The whole tour of the settlement takes about an hour, you can climb up the walls and enjoy the beautiful view. From different angles, the views of the ancient city are so dislocated and multi-level to remember the sketches of the impossible worlds of Escher. At every step I feel the earth creaking under my feet. Nearby, the fortresses of Ayaz Kala are worth a visit.

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16 January 2023 No Comments
Uzbekistan

Bukhara, the city of storks

I continue my journey along the ancient Silk Road and arrive in Bukhara. Here is the most fascinating artistic heritage of all Central Asia: Bukhara suffered a less invasive restoration than Samarkand and today still looks like the way Turkestan looked before the Russians arrived. Every time I look up, I enjoy the sight of the facades of the madrassas and the profiles of the minarets, which never tire of being admired.
It’s love at first sight.

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16 January 2023 No Comments
Uzbekistan

Shakhrisabz, Timur’s dreams of glory

On the way between Bukhara and Samarkand, I make a short stop at Shakhrisabz, a small town surrounded by greenery, a few kilometers south of Samarkand.
The town was formerly known as Kesh, until Timur renamed it to its present name. He built majestic buildings and monuments there, which gave prestige and fame to the city until the sixteenth century, when it was destroyed to avenge the death of a horse.

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16 January 2023 No Comments
Uzbekistan

Samarkand, The Phoenix on the Silk Road

No other place in the world recalls the Silk Road as Samarkand. Its streets are full of myths and legends and the monuments built by Tamerlane make its atmosphere magical. Despite the recent restoration works have partially transformed its face, bringing it closer to the typical Russian town with its avenues and parks, Samarkand remains a breathtaking beauty. Registan, Gur-e-Amir, Bi-Khanym Mosque and Shah-i-Zinda are among the most spectacular monuments in Central Asia. And, if we retrace the thread of its history, we must admire its tenacity as Samarkand has been reborn several times from its ashes.

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16 January 2023 No Comments
Uzbekistan

Urgut Market, learn the art of bargaining

“A man never gets tired of looking at three things: water, fire and a bazaar”. The Urgut Bazaar is a famous local market that boasts a great offer of fabrics and jewelry. I am happy to walk through the alleys of a Uzbek suq and I feel I have refined the art of bargaining…

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17 January 2023 No Comments
Uzbekistan

Tashkent, the most beautiful subway in the world

Tashkent subway is one of the most beautiful in the world but nobody noticed since it was forbidden to take photographs of it! Like many others who decide to travel to Uzbekistan, I will stay in Tashkent for a few hours before flying back. I’m going for a quick visit to the Uzbek capital!

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18 January 2023 No Comments
Uzbekistan

What to do in Uzbekistan

What to see in Uzbekistan. A complete guide to organize the perfect itinerary along the Silk Road.
If you are thinking of taking a trip to Uzbekistan and retracing the ancient Silk Road like a new Marco Polo, here are some indications on how to move and plan your trip. Uzbekistan today is a very safe country, both for the inhabitants and for the tourists who visit it.

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18 January 2023 No Comments
Uzbekistan

Useful History Background For a Trip To Uzbekistan

A brief history of Uzbekistan, from the birth of Zoroastrianism to independence from the Soviet Union, passing through Genghis Khan, Tamerlane, Marco Polo.
All the social and political coordinates to better understand the country you are about to visit.
Believe me, it’s more compelling than Game Of Thrones!

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18 January 2023 No Comments

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Inspirational Photo Galleries

Visit the photo galleries from my trip to Uzbekistan. 100% Travel Photography.

KHIVA
The turquoise domes of the mosques, the tops of the minarets and the decorated portals of the madrassas.
Khiva Travel Photography
BUKHARA
On the Silk Road. Marco Polo, Genghis Khan, Tamerlane all passed through here, leaving an indelible mark.
Bukhara Travel Photography
SAMARCANDA
The magical atmosphere of the imposing monuments built by Tamerlane and the extraordinary Registan complex.
Samarcanda Travel Photography
SHAKHRISABZ
Tamerlane built here the monumental Ak Saray palace, his summer residence.
Shakhrisabz Travel Photography
ARAL SEA
Moynaq. Where once stood the most important port on Lake Aral, nothing remains but disturbing wrecks of old fishing boats.
Aral Sea Travel Photography
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© Andrea Marchegiani - Travel Photographer & Storyteller