Khujand fortress complex

Throughout its long and storied history, Khujand’s beating heart has always been its castle. For over 2,500 years, the Khujand Fortress evolved along with the city, enduring invasions, destruction, and subsequent rebuilding, standing steadfast as a testament to the resilience of its people. Archaeological excavations suggest that the first fortifications were constructed in the 6th-5th centuries BCE, starting with an artificial embankment, which eventually grew into robust walls made of natural clay. Additionally, a city wall encircled a 20-hectare area, reinforced by deep moats brimming with water to protect the city from invaders.

During the flourishing era of the Great Silk Road, the fortress was reconstructed, and the city wall was expanded. As Khujand continued to grow, the city itself was divided into three distinct sections: the citadel, shahristan (the urban core), and rabad (the outer areas). By this period, the Khujand Fortress had become renowned as one of the most impenetrable fortifications in Central Asia.

However, the fortress’s formidable reputation was challenged when Genghis Khan’s armies set their sights on Khujand. From 1219 to 1220, the city was besieged, with over 25,000 attackers, not counting the 50,000 captives forced into labor. Timur Malik, the courageous leader defending the city, ultimately could not withstand the overwhelming might of the Mongol forces, and Khujand fell. The fortress was completely destroyed, marking the siege as one of the most significant events in Tajikistan’s history.

Some historians claim that the fortress was rebuilt in the 15th century, while others argue that restoration efforts began immediately after the Mongol siege. In 1999, a segment of the eastern wall of Khujand Fortress, dating back to the 8th-10th centuries, was restored. This wall now adjoins the Museum of Local History, Archaeology, and Fortification, which houses a collection of artifacts unearthed from the fortress grounds. The museum’s 1,200-item collection includes household items, pottery, and tools, offering visitors a glimpse into the life of the fortress over the centuries.

Today, only part of the restored eastern wall of the Khujand Fortress, rebuilt in 1999, remains. This section, originally from the 8th-10th centuries, was once part of the city’s defensive system. The thick walls of the citadel, made of adobe bricks, were further reinforced with towering battlements. The Historical Museum of Archaeology and Fortification, which opened in 1986 during Khujand’s 2,500-year anniversary celebrations, is located within this complex.

Though the museum building itself mimics the appearance of a medieval fortress, the collection inside is based on significant archaeological finds. These discoveries were made during the extensive work of the North Tajik Archaeological Complex Expedition of the Academy of Sciences between 1954 and 1986. The museum’s collection comprises approximately 1,200 items, with nearly half of them regularly on display. The exhibition space, spread across 150 square meters, tells the story of Khujand’s fortified architecture, tracing its evolution from the fortress’s construction in the 6th-5th centuries BCE through the Arab conquest, a time when the Khujand Fortress was considered one of the most impregnable in Central Asia.

One portion of the exhibition is dedicated to the fortress’s medieval history, shedding light on the daily lives and occupations of the city’s inhabitants. The displays feature examples of medieval ceramics, household items, fragments of decorative architectural elements, glass artifacts, and ancient gravestones with inscriptions. Among the museum’s most treasured pieces are a Saka warrior helmet, pottery from the Classical, Hellenistic, and Medieval periods, and other significant historical artifacts.

The museum also showcases numerous maps and plans of Khujand from different historical periods. A small section of the exhibit highlights the study of Khujand’s history, including the work of notable archaeologists such as A.L. Kun, V.V. Bartold, and M.E. Masson. Additionally, it pays tribute to the researchers who contributed to the creation of the museum itself.

Recently, construction of the «Khujand Fortress» complex, built from the ground up, has been completed. In the spring of 2024, after six years of labor, this cultural and historical complex is now ready to welcome visitors and tourists. It stands as the crowning jewel of ancient Khujand, and rightfully so. The country’s Tourism Development Committee has included this site among the top ten tourist attractions in Tajikistan.

Spanning approximately 10 hectares, the Khujand Fortress complex stands on a site smaller than the original city, which once covered more than 20 hectares. More than 1,000 people worked on the construction, including 300 skilled craftsmen: artists, potters, artisans, and woodcarvers.

The Museum of History features five exhibition halls dedicated to the history and culture of the Tajik people, with each hall designed in its own unique style. The decor incorporates intricate carvings, paintings, «kundal» ornamental patterns, artistic woodwork, stonework, plaster molding, and tile cladding.

In the scientific and literary hall, statues of four prominent figures from Khujand—Ziyouddin Porsi, Shaidoi Khujandi, Sadriddin Khujandi, and Sultan Umarov—are on display. The hall adorned with wood carvings stands out in particular for its grandeur and majestic design.

Thanks to the project, Khujand’s traditional crafts have been revived, particularly the ornamental painting style known as «kundal» and the unique method of producing ceramic tiles called «majolica,» which had nearly been forgotten. To restore these ancient skills, local artisans from Sughd sought the expertise of their colleagues from Samarkand. For the fortress complex alone, nearly 4,000 square meters of majolica tiles were created.

The complex is situated on the ancient settlement of Alexandria Eschate, where during a northern expedition, the famous scholar and archaeologist Numon Nematov discovered historical layers spanning almost 3,000 years of the city’s existence. Throughout the construction of the complex, archaeological excavations continued, unearthing historical artifacts, including large clay storage vessels dating back to the 3rd to 7th centuries BCE.

At the heart of the complex stands the Museum of History, a grand structure adorned with seven domes, each seamlessly connected to the next, creating a unique architectural design. This central building rises over 30 meters in height and is aligned with the eastern gates of the fortress. The architect’s vision was to create a symbolic journey for visitors, transporting them from the modern 21st century back to the magical eras of ancient times.

Within the complex, there are artisan stalls and shops selling national crafts. The artisan rows offer a rich assortment of goods, including a shop for traditional sewing items and a shop for national musical instruments.

Tourists visiting Khujand Fortress can stay in a comfortable hostel located on the premises.

One of the most intriguing features of the complex is the recreation of eight traditional Khujand neighborhood homes (mahalla), designed as replicas of authentic houses from ancient Khujand. The entire quarter is modeled after the original mahalla, with its many crossroads (chorrakha), flowing irrigation canals (aryk), an artificial pool (hauz), and weeping willows providing shade. The house designs were based on data from a 1957 survey of residential buildings, including an exact model of a merchant’s house that still stands in Khujand today, now over 200 years old. The houses were entirely constructed from natural materials, including clay and wood. The ancient artifacts make the recreated mahal particularly intriguing.

The project designers also recreated an ancient bathhouse, illustrating the Tajik people’s deep cultural value of both external and internal cleanliness. A teahouse was also constructed to showcase the importance of community among Tajiks. Although the original teahouses were much smaller and simpler, the creators wanted to offer a glimpse of the humble social space they represented in the past.

The teahouse accommodates around 60 guests. In reality, such teahouses were much smaller and more modest.

Another vital part of the complex is the preserved Ark, the ancient citadel from which the Amir once gazed over Khujand. Visitors can climb this historical earthen structure via a specially designed ramp, allowing them to experience the commanding view that once belonged to the city’s rulers.

Throughout the construction process, local materials were heavily relied upon. For example, the granite flooring was crafted from stones brought from Mogoltau, a mountain range on the right bank of the Syr Darya River.

Looking ahead, architects have plans to recreate the seven original gates that once existed in the walls of ancient Khujand. The vision is for the Khujand Fortress to become a hub for historical study, where the roots and heritage of the Tajik people can be researched, restored, and preserved.