Nurata, an oasis town in the Kysylkum desert in Uzbekistan, is located at the Silk Road, one of the most important historical trade routes between Europe and Asia. The town is known for the remains of the Alexander the Great Fortress, the holy Chashma source, the Chashma complex, also known as Nurata Shrine, and for its Suzani silk and wool embroideries.
Nurata, which is also known as Nurota, is not part of the classic itinerary of a visitor of Uzbekistan, different than the main attractions Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva and Tashkent. But those who are travelling to Aydarkul lake and stay overnight in one of the yurt camps in the desert will head to Nurata. I also visited Nurata as part of an adventure tour through Uzbekistan on my way from Samarkand to Aydarkul lake and to one of the yurt camps in the desert.
Nurata
Nurata is located on the ancient Silk Road, 230 kilometres northwest of Samarkand and 75 kilometres northeast of the city Navoiy in the middle of the Kysylkum desert. The town is situated nearby the Nuratau Mountains at a height of 490 metres above sea level. The main attractions of Nurata are the remains of the Alexander the Great Fortress and Chashma, a complex of religious constructions, which includes the Chashma spring, the Djuma Mosque and a bathhouse which is named Khamom. The town is also famous for its Suzanis, cotton fabrics which are decorated with wool or silk embroideries and are especially produced in Central Asia.
Information about Nurata
- Nurata was founded in 327 before Christ by Alexander the Great and was previously called Nur.
- The city has almost 31.000 inhabitants and is a popular destination for pilgrims who want to visit the holy Chashma source and the Chashma complex.
- Alexander the Great also established Kariz, an underground water-pipeline system which connects the holy source of the spring water with several wells and places where it is needed. Kariz underground water-pipeline systems are widespread in many cities in Central Asia and Northwest China. The most famous Kariz underground water-pipeline system is located in Turpan in the northwestern Chinese province Xinjiang.
The Remains of the Alexander the Great fortress
The remains of the Alexander the Great fortress sit enthroned on a hill above the city. What must have been an impressive building in the time of the former ruler, are now only completely decayed ruins. It is difficult to imagine the dimensions of the former fortress. Nevertheless, the remains are among the most important archaeological monuments in the region. These shone in the morning light when we arrived in Nurata. The ascent to the fortress is not particularly challenging for an average trained person, but when we were there, the temperatures in Nurata were around 40 degrees Celsius. But on the summit, we were rewarded with a fantastic view over the city.
The Alexander the Great Fortress seen from the Chashma Complex aka Nurata Shrine
The Remains of the Alexander the Great Fortress from close up
View of Nurata from the top of the Alexander the Great Fortress
The Chashma Complex also known as Nurata Shrine
The word Chashma is Tajik and means spring. The Chashma Complex, also known as Nurata Shrine, consists of the source of the same name, the Djuma Mosque and a bathhouse which is also called Khamom. The complex is a key attraction for religious pilgrims of the region and even of the neighbouring countries. Southeast of the Chashma complex is a cemetery with tombs of several holy personalities.
Entrance area of the Chashma Complex also known as Nurata Shrine
Gardens of the Chashma complex
The Chashma Source
After our descent, we visited the Chashma source which is located at the foot of the remains of the Alexander the Great fortress. The source as well as the floating fishes in it are considered sacred and may not be killed. Our Uzbek tour guide Gulnoza threw herbs into the source which enticed the fishes to the surface. Feeding the fishes is considered a good deed.
The holy Chashma source
Holy fishes in the Chashma source
The Djuma Mosque
The Djuma Mosque which we only visited from the outside is located exactly opposite of the Chashma source. Remarkable is its giant turquoise coloured dome with a diameter of 16 metres. Moreover, it has 24 other domes and several elaborately decorated columns.
Djuma Mosque
The Khamom Bathhouse
We also saw the Khamom bathhouse only from the outside. Like the Djuma Mosque, the Khamom bathhouse is supported by several ornately decorated columns.
Khamom Bathhouse
Ornate columns at the Khamom bathhouse
In front of the Khamom bathhouse, we met, just as on the way to the exit, several pilgrims who visited the Chashma complex.
Pilgrims in front of the Chashma complex
Uzbek believers in the Chashma complex
Suzani Silk and Wool Embroideries
Nurata is famous for its Suzanis, large-format cotton fabrics with silk and wool embroideries which are made in Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and other Central Asian countries. You will probably get them in shops in Nurata and in other destinations in Uzbekistan and Central Asia but since I didn’t go shopping on my Uzbekistan trip I can’t say this for sure. My group and I were offered cushion covers with Suzani wool embroideries in the restaurant Nur by a group of local females. I bought two cushion covers but I didn’t feel pushed to do so.
Local women offer cushion covers with Suzani wool embroideries
Restaurant Nur
The restaurant Nur is the only restaurant in Nurata but it is highly recommendable. Just behind the entrance, we were greeted by two friendly locals who were sitting around a flat table. There were more tables on the roofed terrace and in the courtyard. We sat down at a table under a leaf canopy. Before the main course which we ordered à la carte, we were served a selection of sweet and savoury starters.
Friendly locals at the restaurant Nur
Some of our starters
How to get to Nurata
You can take a taxi (for about 3.50 US Dollars) or a minibus (for about 2.50 US Dollars) from Navoiy to Nurata. There is a direct train connection from Samarkand to Navoiy. Of course, you can also take a taxi from Samarkand to Nurata but I can’t tell you how much that costs. English is only partially spoken in Uzbekistan. You will easier get around when you speak Russian or even Uzbek. In case you think that the individual journey from Samarkand is too complicated, you can also visit Nurata as part of a tour. Probably, there are several travel agencies that offer trips to Nurata, to the Aydarkul Lake including overnight stays in one of the yurt camps in the desert. I did the “Best of Uzbekistan” tour and traveled through Uzbekistan* with G Adventures*, a Canadian adventure travel company that offers small-group tours. They also offer tours through Tajikistan*, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan*, a tour through three Central Asian countries*, and another tour through four of the Stans*.
Best travel time for Nurata and Uzbekistan
The best travel time for Nurata and Uzbekistan is from May to September, with July being particularly hot with temperatures between 35 and 40 degrees Celsius. In June and August, the temperatures are at 30 to 35 degrees. For most foreign visitors, the months of May and September with temperatures of 25 to 30 degrees Celsius are the most comfortable.
Nurata – an Oasis Town in the Kyzylkum Desert in Uzbekistan – my conclusion
If you travel from Samarkand or Bukhara to Aydarkul Lake and to one of the yurt camps in the Kysylkum desert, the oasis town of Nurata and the remains of the Alexander the Great fortress are definitely worth a visit. When you only have a limited amount of time in Uzbekistan, and Nurata and the Aydarkul Lake are not on your itinerary anyway, I probably wouldn’t drive there, specifically. However, I would also recommend going to Nurata if you travel through Uzbekistan individually and spend more than one and a half or two weeks in the country.
Follow me on Social Media
More blog posts about Uzbekistan
Disclosure
*All links which are marked with a star* are affiliate links. That means that I get a small commission if you book a hotel or a tour through one of those links – of course at no extra cost to you. Affiliate links help me to cover a part of the costs of running this website – so thanks a million in advance. When you are a returning traveler of G Adventures you even get your five percent discount in case you filled out the online evaluation form within a month after your previous tour. After booking just send G Adventures an email or give them a call and claim your discount if it doesn’t appear on your bill automatically. Being an affiliate doesn’t affect my opinion in any way. I only recommend companies and products which I personally use and love. All links which are not marked with a star* are not affiliate links.
When I think of Uzbekistan, usually four cities come up to my mind: Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva. This post of yours is a reminder that there are still so many other places to explore in this fascinating country. Hopefully I can retrace your steps sooner than later.
‘Nice one Vanessa. ‘Loving the photography!
[…] route through Central Asia. In July 2016, I visited Uzbekistan and explored Tashkent, Samarkand, Nurata, Lake Aydar Kŭl and a yurt camp in the Kysylkum desert, Bukhara and Khiva. Already then, I wanted […]