Tashkent is a city with a history of 2200 years. Once upon a time there were 4 cities on this land, each with its own castles, fortresses and separate people. The main one above the rest was Madaniat al-Shash, which served as the capital. In its place, the main work of archaeologists was carried out. Around the 17th century, significant changes began in the architecture and development of the Ming-Urik settlement, a fortress with a city inside appeared - Shakhristan. Today, the settlement of Ming-Urik, which means “Thousand Uryuchin”, is protected by the state, being an architectural monument. More than 35 hectares of the settlement territory are located near the Salar River.
Previously, there was an even more ancient settlement of fire worshipers on this site, fragments and artifacts of which are still found here. A fortress was built in it. The walls were built from clay bricks, held together with a clay mixture. Along its entire length there were stepped towers. The ruler's palace was built at the ritual site of the Zoroastrians.
The palace was located on a hill, which gave it additional importance, because it could be seen from afar. Inside the palace there were many living quarters and economic departments. There were also huge halls for receiving guests or holding important events. The palace could not do without a temple for various religious ceremonies.
Due to destruction, fire, and religious reforms, very few fragments have survived that can tell us about the design of the sanctuary. Only in some places small parts of wall paintings made in gold have been preserved, depicting the life of high-ranking officials of that distant era. The destroyed parts of the old walls and floors served as the foundation and basis for the construction of the palace. Traditionally, for all strategic buildings of ancient Maverannahr, the palace was located near the walls of the citadel and was also the basis of city formation and city government. Some sources claim that the ancient ruler of Turan, Afrasiab, once lived in Ming Urik. This is confirmed by some elements of the interior design. However, such images are not enough to definitively prove this fact. Similar references were also found in the Afrasiab settlement near Samarkand.
Currently, only part of the citadel remains of the huge fort. The territory of the attraction is fenced and turned into a museum.
The Canaan Travel team invites all guests and residents of Uzbekistan to Tashkent - a modern city with a huge history, the monuments of which will become an important and memorable part of your holiday.