THE ARCHITECTURE OF CITIES IN

CENTRAL ASIA. PALACE CULTURE

IN CENTRAL ASIA.

Presented by Kabylbek Didar

 Content
1 Introduction 5 Palace culture in Central Asia.

Features of Central Asian Description of an Ancient

2 Architecture 6 Central Asian Palace

Decorations in Central Asian

Famous Palaces in Central
3 City’s Buildings 7 Asia

Types of Buildings in Central

4 Asia 8 Conclusion

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 Introduction
The Architecture of Central Asia, generally considered as comprising
Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and
Uzbekistan. Central Asian architecture — Central Asia is surrounded
by the Caspian Sea in the west, the Kopet Mountains in the south, the
Hindu mountain system, the Pamir and Tien Shan mountain ranges in
the east and the South Siberian deserts in the north. The fate of the
people who lived here in ancient times was closely linked to each other.
Therefore, we study the life of the people of ancient Central Asia in
one form. However, each of them has a unique history and cultures
that extend only to their territories. [2]

02
 Features of Central Asian Architecture
Features associated with the famous Timurid Architecture found in Samarkand and
elsewhere in Central Asia include massive blue domes, often ribbed; tile- and mosaic-
covered portals (gateway facades); towering, tapering minarets; and courtyards lined
with cell-like quarters. The huge entrance portal featured in some buildings, as high as
30 meters, are intended to dwarf all those who stand before Allah.
Traditional Central Asia cities had an inner city and an outer city surrounded by a wall,
intended to keep storms, bandits and marauding horses out. Many cities had water
brought in by aqueducts and stored in reservoirs. (O’Kane, B. (1987). Timurid
Architecture in Khurasan. )

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Decorations in Central Asian
City’s Buildings
Central Asian buildings are famed for their
colorful tilework, adding beauty and lightness by
reflecting the desert sun. Deep cobalt blue and
turquoise hues, symbolizing the "color of the
Turks," are commonly seen on domes. To respect
Islamic traditions, the decorations avoid
depicting animals or people, instead featuring
calligraphy, floral designs, and geometric shapes.
Tiles come in various styles, including stamped,
chromatic, polychromatic, and faience, while
additional adornments include carved woodwork,
patterned brickwork, and alabaster carvings.
(Glazebrook, P. (1996). Journey to Khiva)

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 Types of Buildings
in Central Asia

01 02 03 04 05 06

Mosques Madrasahs Caravanserais Bazaars Fortresses Palaces

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 Palace culture in Central
Asia.
This monographic study is devoted to the architecture of the palace structures
of antiquity, antiquity, the Middle Ages, the New and Modern times in the
territory of Central Asia,including Historical and Modern Tajikistan. In
architectural literature, many studies have been devoted to this type of civil
architecture, although to date there has not been a single work of a
monographic nature that fully examines the palaces of the past and present. As
a rule, palaces were illuminated in the context of the whole variety of types of
civil architecture, paying attention each time mainly to their residential purpose

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 The term "palace" in a widespread interpretation
implies at least three meanings:

01 – any large rich (luxurious) building, usually

distinguished by its architecture;

– the official residence of the monarch, ruler, head of

02 the city or state, as well as his family members;

– a large building (complex) of wide public use, such as

03 the Palace of Labor, the Palace of Sports, the
Presidential Palace, the Palace of Art, etc. [4]

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 Description of an Ancient Central
Asian Palace
The palace was built on a tall podium and there were three non-symmetrically
built towers around it. Thanks to its magnificent dimensions, monumentality, the
palace had dominated other buildings. The rooms inside the palace were also
covered with bricks. The palace was divided into parades. There are different
rooms in this section. The interior of each of them was decorated with rich
sculptures and paintings. In the main hall of the palace, small statues, reliefs are
placed in front of the walls. In one of the halls there are statues of the tsar. He is
depicted in this composition within the family members. The interior of the palace
is colorful. Numerous patterns of wall painting have been preserved. The artistic
design of the interior interior of the palace had to reflect the power of the State
of Kharazm, as well as its architecture. The architects had created a
magnificent architectural image: the image combining architecture, painting and
sculpture helped eliminate the problems that arise in the synthesis of these[2]
areas.
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 AK-SARAY PALACE, SHAKHRISABZ
The Ak-Saray Palace, located in
Shakhrisabz, Uzbekistan, is one
of the most significant
architectural monuments of
Central Asia. Commissioned by
the 14th-century Turco-Mongol
conqueror Timur (Tamerlane),
the palace was intended to be
an awe-inspiring symbol of his
power and grandeur.
 THE PALACE OF THE EMIR OF
BUKHARA IN KAGAN (SUBURB)
The Palace of the Emir stands
as a testament to this period of
history, reflecting the merging
of Central Asian and Russian
architectural influences. Its
intricate design and historical
significance underscore its
status as a prominent
architectural landmark in
Uzbekistan, inviting visitors to
delve into its rich past and
explore its hidden treasures.
 TURKMENISTAN. ASHGABAT. THE
PRESIDENTIAL PALACE.
Oguzhan Palace (Turkmen:
Oguz han köşgi) is the official
residence and principal
workplace of the president of
Turkmenistan, located on
Independence Square in the
capital city of Ashgabat in
Turkmenistan. It has been the
site of the presidential
headquarters and home of the
president of Turkmenistan
since the late 1990s.
 AK ORDA PRESIDENTIAL PALACE
(KAZAKHSTAN)
The Ak Orda Presidential Palace
(Kazakh: Ақорда резиденциясы,
Aqorda rezidentsiyasy, lit. 'white
horde residency') is the official
workplace of the president of
Kazakhstan, located in the
capital city of Astana. The Palace
was built within three years,[1]
and officially opened in 2004. It
was built by the Mabetex Group,
[2] founded by Behgjet Pacolli,
3rd President of Kosovo and 1st
Deputy Prime Minister of Kosovo.
 Conclusion
In conclusion, the architecture of Central Asia, exemplified by its
palace culture, is a complex blend of influences from many
different civilizations. These palaces, along with the Ark of
Bukhara and Registan, are representations of grandeur, power,
and cross-cultural interaction. They all contributed to forming the
region's identity and history, albeit having different styles.

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 References
1. Hays, J. (n.d.). ARCHITECTURE OF CENTRAL ASIA | facts and details.
https://factsanddetails.com/central-
asia/Central_Asian_Topics/sub8_8g/entry-4542.html

2.Admin. (2019, April 30). Architecture of Central Asia. HiSoUR -

Hi So You Are. https://www.hisour.com/architecture-of-central-
asia-29844/amp/
3. «Архитектура дворцов Центральной Азии», Саодат
Рустамовна Мукимова – ЛитРес. (n.d.). ЛитРес.
https://www.litres.ru/book/saodat-rustamovna-
mukimova/arhitektura-dvorcov-centralnoy-azii-67296830/chitat-
onlayn/

4 A large encyclopedic dictionary, in 2 volumes. Vol. 1. —M.: BRE, 1991,

p. 364; A.S.Hornburn. Educational dictionary of modern English. Special
edition. for the USSR. —M., 1984, pp. 450-451.

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