Renowned throughout Asia, Chashma complex site centers around a holy spring, or «chashma,» whose origins are steeped in legend and mystery. According to local legend, the Chashma spring was born from a meteorite that fell to earth, radiating light and creating a spring with healing properties where it struck. This miraculous event gave rise to the name «Nurata,» meaning «Ray of Father» or «Ray-Father,» with «Nur» translating to «Light.» The spring’s supposed celestial origins have made it a place of pilgrimage and veneration for centuries.
Located near the ruins of the Nur fortress, which was founded by Alexander the Great in the 4th century BC, the Chashma complex is a site of great archaeological interest. The fortress, perched on a hill and surrounded by a defensive vallum, played a strategic role as it marked the boundary between the agricultural settlements of Marakand (now Samarkand) and the territories of nomadic tribes to the north. Alexander’s engineers constructed an advanced water supply system to ensure the fortress’s defenders always had access to water, underscoring the site’s strategic importance.
Despite frequent conflicts, life in Nurata flourished, gradually transforming the area around the spring into a bustling settlement. Over time, this small city evolved into one of the most visited Muslim sanctuaries in Central Asia.
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