TOQI SAFFARON

 

Today, together with our group and our Practice teacher Matluba Akhmedovna, we went to Toki Sarrafon located in Labi Havuz. Despite the cold weather, today was a great day. We had warm conversations and a lot of information. And now I want to tell you briefly about what information I haven't today.

The medieval Bukhara was a great trading

city, welcoming merchants from all parts of

Central Asia, from Iran and India, from

Russia and China. The trading status of

Bukhara was reflected in the planning and

development of the city. Large streets in the

centre served as bazaars, each selling a

particular type of product. Complex,

multiply ventilated domed floors were built

for their improvement in the squares and

crossroads of the streets, known as

"stream" - arches, vaults. Three such

structures have been preserved: To qi

Zargaron (trade some of the jewellers), Toqi

Sarraf on (trade dome of the money

changers) and Toki Telpak Furushon (trade

dome of the cap sellers).

The majestic trade dome Toqi Sarrafon is

located at the intersection of several streets

that connect the city centre of Bukhara with

a medieval suburb (Registan and Rabat).

The structure was named after the Sarrafs -

the merchants who transformed it.

Traditionally, the exchange of currencies of

different states was carried out by Indians.

This means that the dome can be

considered one of the oldest "currency

exchanges" in the East. The main part of the

structure - a huge dome - stands on four

large arches and on all sides this structure is

surrounded by various buildings. The arches

are interesting because they are executed in

a unique architectural style. Their design is

called "charzamin" and this type of finishing

is typical for Bukhara. Of course, the

modern dome does not gather currency

experts, but an unimaginable number of

traditional eastern souvenirs are collected

here. Travellers will find original jewellery

(necklaces, earrings, rings) as well as all

kinds of kitchen utensils and appliances and

even expensive jewellery, in addition to

light-coloured carpets and patterned

skullcaps.