Urgench (Uzbekistan) - a city within Khorezm, the oldest region of Central Asia. It was here that the famous Silk Trade Route passed. What is interesting Urgench today? What monuments and sights are there in this city?
Urgench city, Uzbekistan: at the threshold of ancient monuments
In the XII century, Khorezm was one of the most powerful formations in Asia. Today it is a modest Khorezm region within the state of Uzbekistan (the city of Urgench is its administrative center). But on its lands many historical monuments still remain - traces of former states and empires.
About a thousand kilometers from the capital Tashkent is the city of Urgench. Uzbekistan is deeply grateful to this city for two bright personalities who were born here. This is Ulmas Safaevich Alikhodzhaev, an outstanding Soviet film actor, as well as the world famous singer Anna Victoria German.
The Uzbek city of Urgench is literally located on the threshold of the most ancient monuments of Central Asia. 50 km to the north, beyond the Amu Darya River, are the ancient fortresses of Toprak-Kala and Ayaz-Kala. And 30 km south is the legendary city of Khiva, a World Heritage site. By the way, from Urgench you can quickly and comfortably get on ... trolley! The trolleybus system "Urgench-Khiva" is the only one in Uzbekistan. In addition, it is one of the few inter-city trolleybus routes in the post-Soviet space.
But in this article we will focus our attention on the sights and interesting places of Urgench.
Urgench (Khorezm region, Uzbekistan): general features of geography and history
Historians still can not give the exact date of foundation of this city. The task of scientists is greatly complicated by the fact that Urgench was called differently at different times. According to one version, it was founded in the XVII century by immigrants from the city of Kun-Urgench (now located on the territory of Turkmenistan). The latter were forced to resettle due to changes in the course of the Amu Darya River.
How and how does modern Urgench live? In 2008, Uzbekistan “awarded” the city a first-class airport. Regular flights to Tashkent, St. Petersburg and Moscow are carried out from it. The city also has a train station.
Urgench is located on the canal, ten kilometers from the Amu Darya River. The city has developed food and light industry. There are cotton ginning, repair and excavation, tire repair plants, a factory for the production of building materials and other enterprises.
About 140 thousand people live in Urgench. The dominant nation in the ethnic structure of the urban population are Uzbeks (95%). Representatives of other nations and nationalities also live in the city: Kazakhs, Russians, Turkmens, Koreans and Germans. In Urgench operates a university, college and a number of comprehensive schools.
The main tourist attractions of the city
There are practically no ancient buildings in Urgench. The main natural attraction of the city is the Amu Darya River, which carries its waters a little to the north. On the river you can go fishing well. In the suburbs there are several companies that are happy to provide all the necessary attributes for this lesson.
In Urgench itself it is worth visiting the city monuments. This is a memorial dedicated to Jaloliddin Manguberda - a brave warrior, the ruler of Khorezm, deeply revered in Uzbekistan.
Another interesting monument in the city is the Avesta Monument. It is dedicated to the Avesta collection, a unique work of ancient writing in which the foundation of Zoroastrianism was laid. In Urgench you can also see a monument to the great mathematician and founder of the algebra il-Khrezmi. It was opened in 1979, during the International Conference "Algorithms in Contemporary Mathematics" in the city.
Once in Urgench, you should definitely visit the local bazaar. It is located right in the center of the city. At the bazaar you can taste delicious cakes, buy juicy peaches or ripe melons. The market also offers its guests a huge selection of diverse spices.
Another interesting attraction of the city is located in the park named after Amir Timur. Here, on a small island, the main architectural monuments of the country are recreated. Of course, in a reduced form.
Finally…
Urgench (Uzbekistan) is a small town in the valley of the Amu Darya River. Tourists often perceive it as a “transit point” on the way to the more famous sights of Central Asia. But the city itself has its own interesting objects. For example, a monument to the great medieval mathematician al-Khwarizmi. Or a local bazaar with a huge selection of products, fruits and spices. A sea of impressions will be presented by a trip from Urgench to Khiva on a trolleybus along the only trolleybus line in Uzbekistan.