The Great Silk Road connected East and West not only by trade routes, but also by culture, art, and architecture. We tell about the most impressive caravanserais, madrasahs, and mausoleums of that era that have been preserved in the territories of Central Asia and Azerbaijan.
Kazakhstan
Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi
A majestic mausoleum of the 14th century, which is included in the UNESCO World Heritage list as an outstanding example of Islamic architecture of Central Asia.
Otrar
A legendary city, once the largest center of trade and science on the Great Silk Road. The thinker Al-Farabi was born here, and the city itself was a center of scientific and commercial development. Today, the ruins of the ancient settlement remind us of its former greatness.
Uzbekistan
Caravanserai Rabat-i-Malik
Built in the 11th century, this caravanserai between Bukhara and Samarkand once served as the residence of local rulers, and later became a stop for caravans moving across Central Asia. Today, only the monumental gates and the sardoba — the main water supply source — remain from the large complex.
Ulugh Beg Madrasah
Created in the 15th century by the great astronomer and ruler Ulugh Beg, the madrasah became one of the first centers of science and education in the East. Its facade is decorated with patterns in the form of stars — a symbol of knowledge and enlightenment.
Kyrgyzstan
Caravanserai Tash-Rabat
A historical complex of the 15th century, located on the ancient trade route in the Naryn region. Built of stone, it served as a safe shelter for travelers and caravans. Today, Tash-Rabat is one of the most recognizable monuments of Kyrgyzstan and the region as a whole.
Azerbaijan
Caravanserai of Shah Abbas in Ganja
In the 17th century, this spacious caravanserai with 54 rooms and 15 halls served as a resting place for merchants from Persia, India, and the Ottoman Empire and as an example of refined Eastern architecture. Later, a college and a museum were located here, and after restoration, the monument was reopened to visitors as a museum.
Bukhara Caravanserai in Baku
Built back in the 15th century, this caravanserai still stands in Icherisheher — the old city of Baku. Mostly merchants from Bukhara stayed here, hence the name.
Khan Caravanserai in Baku
One of the oldest caravanserais in Azerbaijan, built in the 12th century, it was distinguished by its square shape and defensive elements. Once it also served as a madrasah, and during the flourishing period of the Great Silk Road, it was a center of rest and trade for merchants.
Upper and Lower Caravanserais in Sheki
These two majestic caravanserais of the 18th–19th centuries are the main architectural monuments of Sheki and former trade centers on the Great Silk Road. The Lower Caravanserai consisted of 242 rooms, and the Upper — of more than 300. The complex impresses with its thoughtful layout, harmony with the terrain, and Eastern architecture. Today, it functions as a hotel.
Tajikistan
Mausoleum of Mir Said Ali Hamadoni
One of the most famous spiritual centers of Tajikistan, dedicated to the outstanding thinker and poet of the 15th century. The mausoleum is located in Khujand and is considered a place of pilgrimage. The architecture is simple but harmonious — traditional brickwork, dome, and ornamental arches.
Turkmenistan
Mausoleum of Sultan Sanjar
This mausoleum in the ancient city of Merv is called by many the most majestic structure of the Middle Ages and a symbol of the flourishing of the Seljuk era in the region. The Mausoleum of Sultan Sanjar is a cubic-shaped building crowned with a two-tiered dome with turquoise facing.