Noah’s Ark near Samarkand (Lyangar)

The biblical patriarch, who left his mark on the land of Uzbekistan. Almost every district in Uzbekistan and neighboring Central Asian countries has a village or locality named Lyangar, which literally means “anchor” or “harbor, landing place, refuge.” Since the Middle Ages, this term has been used to denote settlements that arose near the graves of Muslim ascetics or Sufi khanqahs—sanctuaries for wandering dervishes.

To the north of Samarkand, among the rocky peaks of the Aktau mountain range, there is also a place called Lyangar. However, it is not associated with Sufis or local saints. According to legend, this site became the resting place of the Ark of the biblical patriarch Noah, who is revered in Muslim tradition under the name of the prophet Nuh.

Followers of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam have never disagreed on the exact point on Earth where Noah’s Ark came to rest when the waters of the Great Flood began to recede. The Bible clearly states that this occurred “in the mountains of Ararat” (Genesis 8:4). Historical science tells us that as early as the 13th century BC, one of the oldest centers of human civilization arose in the territory of the Lesser Caucasus and the Armenian Highlands—a confederation of tribes, later known as the kingdom of Urartu. In the Armenian monastery of Echmiadzin, a relic is kept—a piece of petrified wood with a cross laid upon it, believed to be part of the Ark’s construction, found on the slopes of Mount Ararat by early Christians.

Despite the seemingly absolute geographical clarity of the narrative, local legends present their own perspective on ancient history. This pertains not only to Noah-Nuh but also to other biblical figures or famous historical personalities who are revered in various regions of Uzbekistan for one reason or another.

To the north of ancient Samarkand, the valley of the Zarafshan River transitions into a steppe hollow located between the mountain ranges of Nuratau and Aktau. The Aktau range is modest in height even by local standards, falling short by more than half compared to the snowy peaks of the Pamirs or Tian Shan. However, the rocky slopes of the Aktau are steep and inaccessible. Aside from nomadic livestock farming, these slopes are largely unsuitable for human activity and remain almost uninhabited to this day.

The only significant settlement in this area is Lyangar. It emerged in the Middle Ages in a narrow gorge, where semi-precious stones were found—almost at the very peak of Mount Takhku, which stands about 2000 meters tall. Here, in a small khanqah, hermits and followers of Sufism settled.

The rock that legends call the resting place of the legendary Noah’s Ark can be seen from afar. In reality, it does not rise higher than the neighboring mountain peaks, but its position seems to dominate the surrounding space, standing out due to its solitary location and unusual shape. Three of its slopes are nearly vertical, while the fourth has a gentle incline, along which a narrow path winds through boulders and gravel. The southern slope of the rock mass is split by a deep vertical chasm. Thus, the rock has two peaks. One of them features an absolutely flat platform measuring nearly one hundred square meters. It was here that the enthusiastic researcher from Bukhara, Hakim Juraev, discovered remnants of ancient brickwork in 2006.

The residents of Lyangar assert that in ancient times, a cult structure made of burnt brick stood atop the rock. This building marked the resting place of the Ark of the prophet Nuh. It was constructed by Sufi novices. They had to carry the building materials on their own backs, as pack-laden donkeys or horses could not traverse the narrow and steep path. The trail was so steep that only a few pilgrims managed to ascend to touch the sanctuary. Over time, earthquakes and fierce winds destroyed the dome of the shrine, leaving only the base of its round foundation. The cult associated with this site noticeably weakened, although the legend has survived to this day.

When did the legend arise that Noah’s Ark came to rest in the mountains beneath Samarkand? It can be presumed that this occurred after some traveler familiar with the biblical story visited Lyangar and had previously been to the Armenian Highlands. Certainly, the Aktau mountains are lower than the Lesser Caucasus, and there are no dormant volcanoes among them. However, lava fields and volcanic rocks can be found here. If we disregard the size, the local double rock could easily remind one of the peaks of Greater and Lesser Ararat, whose volcanic cones converge at their bases. The poetic image of the two mountains may have given rise to the legend, supported by Sufi masters who began construction here to test the patience and humility of their disciples. Furthermore, the connection of the legend to the Bible was likely intended to enhance the prestige of the local monastery in the eyes of pilgrims.