DJARKURGAN MINARET

A little out of the way, dominating a district on the southern outskirts of Djarkurgan, this minaret dating from 1109-1110, one of the oldest in Central Asia, was erected on the orders of Sultan Sanjar. Today's minaret measures 22 m, whereas, according to archaeologists, its original height was around 40 m, making it equal to the minarets of the Bibi Khanum mosque in Samarkand. excavations revealed the presence of a mosque. The building was therefore part of a complex.

But more than its age, it's its architecture that sets it apart. Its brick structure is unique. The minaret rests on an octagonal base, on which 16 semi-columns rise to form a trunk whose decoration evokes a weave of fabric or rushes. The arrangement of the bricks creates a wave-like pattern, and when viewed from below, the effect is particularly striking.

It stands out in the middle of a cobbled square embellished with vegetation. A small regional museum, built next door, is also worth a visit. Realistic works by contemporary painter Mansurov are on display, illustrating particularly interesting scenes of Uzbek social life. The keeper of the keys is at the nearby school: if he's not at the museum, don't hesitate to go and get him at the school. He will also open the minaret, which can be climbed for a commanding view of the region. Warning: the spiral staircase is very narrow, steep and dark. Ask the janitor to lend you a flashlight.