Emir’s Palace in Kagan

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Emir’s Palace in Kagan

Emir’s Palace in Kagan
Emir’s Palace in Kagan

When arriving in Bukhara by train, one should not miss the opportunity to visit the 19th-century Palace of the Emir of Bukhara in Kagan, located near the station. Unfortunately, many tourists pass by the palace quickly, as it is not easily visible from the road. This is regrettable because the palace boasts attractive and unusual architecture, along with an interesting history. It is considered an architectural monument of Uzbekistan.

The origins of the palace are tied to the expansion of the Russian Empire into Central Asia during the second half of the 19th century. By the end of the century, strong diplomatic relations had developed between Russia and the Bukhara Emirate, and the development of railways continued. The settlement of New Bukhara was established 12 kilometers from Bukhara, along the railway line to Tashkent. New Bukhara became a base for Russian military personnel, engineers, and builders. In a sense, New Bukhara also served as a diplomatic town, hosting various offices that represented the Russian Empire in the Emirate of Bukhara.

In 1895, the Emir of Bukhara, Said Abdulahad Khan, ordered the construction of a palace in New Bukhara. Some sources suggest that the Emir wanted to have his own palace in the Russian settlement. Another version of the story claims that the palace was built to accommodate a visit by the Russian Emperor, Nicholas II. However, Said Abdulahad Khan never lived in the palace, and Nicholas II never visited.

The construction of the Emir of Bukhara’s palace in Kagan began on August 14, 1895, under the direction of Alexei L. Benoit, an architect who worked in Central Asia for many years. Benoit’s architectural projects included numerous buildings in Almaty, Tashkent, and Samarkand. Although few of these buildings have survived to this day, the Palace of Prince Romanov in the center of Tashkent is an excellent example. Many experts in the history of architecture believe that the Palace of the Emir of Bukhara in Kagan is Benoit’s best work.

The palace’s architecture is eclectic, combining Arabic motifs with elements of the Baroque, Empire, and Neo-Mauritanian styles. The exterior features ganch (gypsum plaster) carving in the Bukhara style. Although the interior decoration is less well-preserved, it still illustrates the skill of the builders and local craftsmen of the time.

The Palace of the Emir of Bukhara in Kagan was completed in 1898 but remained unused for a long time. In 1910, Said Alim Khan, the son of Said Abdulahad Khan, became the Emir of Bukhara and decided to use the palace to accommodate high-ranking guests. Later, under Soviet rule, the palace became state property and was transformed into the Palace of Culture of the Railway Workers. Today, the palace is not in ideal condition. While its exterior decoration is regularly maintained and restored, the entire palace requires renovation.

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