TOUR DE BURANA

Built in the ^11th century, Burana's minaret was originally 45 m high, reduced to 25 m after an earthquake in the ^15th century. Looted by Russian settlers for lack of bricks, the minaret was in danger of collapsing by the end of the ^19th century, and was hastily restored by the Soviets. Slightly leaning, it is adorned with geometric motifs in relief created by a skilful arrangement of bricks. Several dozen Turkish funerary statues, known as tach balbaldar, are displayed in the field at the foot of the minaret. They date from the 6th^{to the 10th} century.