Bukhara - Tim Abdulla-Khan

The Abdulla-Khan trading arcade: a masterpiece of Islamic architecture

In the East, trade has always been considered an honourable and respected occupation. In the sublime city of Bukhara, the bazaars were a vibrant centre of economic and social life, and the doors of the artisan shops stood invitingly open along the busy streets. In the 16th century, trade in Bukhara experienced a new heyday when huge covered trading arcades were built. One of these remarkable structures is the Abdulla-Khan trading arcade, also known as Tim Abdulla-Khan, named after its builder, the ruler Abdulla-Khan II of the Shaibanid dynasty. This impressive arcade was built in 1577 to sell silk and woollen goods in particular. It is located on a central market street that connects the domed buildings Toki Zargaron and Toki Tilpak-Furushon.

The monumental building with its square floor plan and numerous domes is a masterpiece of Islamic architecture from the Middle Ages. The central dome rises above an octagonal base, which is supported by elegant lancet arches between massive pillars. A surrounding gallery with numerous small domes rests on sturdy supports and lends the entire structure a harmonious lightness. The vaulted niches that line the main space serve as sales areas for a total of 56 shops. All areas of the arcade are connected by a sophisticated system of extensive vaults. A window cut into the main drum of the central dome provides a gentle diffusion of light that bathes the interior in an atmospheric semi-darkness, creating a special atmosphere.

A remarkable architectural achievement of this passage is the sophisticated climate control system. The design of the interior allows for natural air circulation, which, in combination with the subdued light and the solid construction, creates a refreshing coolness. This made the arcade a pleasant refuge for retailers and customers on hot summer days. It is easy to imagine the feelings of the caravan travellers who, after long, arduous journeys through the vast salt marshes and endless sand dunes, entered the shady vaults of Bukhara and found a well-earned rest there.

Abdullah Khan’s trading passage was intended in particular for the silk trade. Bukhara enjoyed a legendary reputation as a silk trading centre even before the Arab conquest. Silk pattern fabrics known as zandanechi were woven in the nearby settlement of Zandana and exported to the west via the Great Silk Road. In the 16th century, silk weaving in Bukhara experienced a new heyday with the production of velvet bakhmal, a precious brocade fabric with complex patterns. One of Bukhara’s most famous silk fabrics, the so-called Khan Atlas, is still produced today using traditional techniques, with the knowledge and skills being passed down from generation to generation.

Today, the city’s surviving commercial buildings represent only a fraction of the once densely built-up bazaar streets, which were lined with countless shops, workshops and caravanserais in the Middle Ages. Nevertheless, the remaining buildings give an impressive impression of the former splendour of the oriental trading metropolis. Amidst ornate architecture, the exotic goods from distant lands were themselves one of the most impressive adornments of the bazaars and testified to Bukhara’s economic and cultural importance as one of the most radiant pearls of the Silk Road.