Built in the 16th century at the heart of Bukhara, the covered bazaars (tak, meaning vault) are the remnants of the vaulted markets that made the city a major waypoint on the Silk Road. Of the five original structures, four survive today at the intersections of the old town's main thoroughfares. Beneath their domed brick ceilings, commercial activity has never ceased: jewelers, carpet merchants, booksellers, and artisans have succeeded one another for nearly five centuries.

Why Visit the Covered Bazaars

These covered markets vividly illustrate Bukhara's commercial importance in the 16th century, when the city thrived thanks to caravans circulating between Persia, India, and China. Each bazaar was specialized in a particular type of trade—jewelry, currency exchange, textiles, hatmaking—an organization still reflected today in the shops lining the vaults. Visiting the tak allows you both to observe a masterpiece of Central Asian medieval architecture and to wander through an artisanal market still very much alive, where jewelers' and cutlers' workshops function mere meters from souvenir stalls.

History of the Covered Bazaars

In the 16th century, Bukhara emerged as a leading commercial hub on the Silk Road. To accommodate merchants and their goods, the authorities built covered markets (tak, vault) strategically positioned at the crossroads of two or three main avenues. The entrances were intentionally very high to allow passage for camels laden with cargo.

This architecture responded to a straightforward logic: to shield transactions from summer heat and winter cold, while concentrating the commercial taxes collected by the emirate. The bazaars did not function in isolation: the urban complex also included a mosque and bathhouses, and the commercial streets leading to the tak were lined with shops sheltered from the sun by reed screens. The city once boasted five such market galleries; four have survived to the present day, and their silhouette of fired brick remains one of Bukhara's defining features.

The Four Bazaars to Discover

Tak-i Zargaran, the Jewelers' Bazaar

Built in the 1570s, it is the largest of the four bazaars. It is located not far from the Po-i Kalon complex. Its central dome, more pointed than those of the other tak, gives it a distinctive silhouette. The building originally housed 36 shops and workshops of jewelers (zargar), whose craft gave the bazaar its name. Even today, silversmiths working with local stones and precious metals can be found here.

Tak-i Sarrafan, the Money Changers' Bazaar

The name derives from the word sarraf, meaning money changer. This is where merchants from different lands exchanged their currencies after their transactions, a function that some historians view as a precursor to banking activities. The old exchange counters have given way to souvenir shops, but the building has retained its original structure.

Tak-i Telpak Furushan, the Hatmakers' Bazaar

This bazaar was built in the rabat, the outer district where artisans congregated. It initially served as a book exchange before becoming the marketplace for hats, scarves, and turbans that gave it its name. Today it is occupied by carpet sellers, whose pieces woven in wool and silk drape the walls beneath the vault.

Tim Abdullah Khan

Dated to 1577, this complex bears the name of Abdullah Khan II, sovereign of the Shaybanid dynasty. It originally housed Afghan silk merchants. The textile vocation has persisted: you will find fabrics here today, along with small tea salons, cutlers, antiquarians, and second-hand booksellers, making it one of the liveliest of the bazaars.

Practical Information

• Location: historic center of Bukhara, within a pedestrian zone spanning a few hundred meters between the Mir-i Arab madrasa and the Lyab-i Hauz.
• Access: free entry to the bazaars, which are open commercial spaces.
• Hours: generally open during the day, from morning to late afternoon; some shops extend their hours in the evening during the tourist season.
• Visit duration: allow 1 to 2 hours to tour all four bazaars at a leisurely pace, longer if you linger in the shops.
• Tip: late afternoon light enhances the fired brick of the domes; it is also when the artisans' workshops are most active.

Nearby Attractions

The covered bazaars are woven into the monumental fabric of the old town and combine easily with other Bukhara sites. Just steps from Tak-i Zargaran lies the Po-i Kalon complex, with its minaret and madrasa. The mausoleum of Imam Muhammad al-Bukhari complements the visit for those interested in the region's spiritual heritage. Travelers continuing toward Samarkand can follow up with the Gour Emir mausoleum, while those heading south to Khiva can visit the Islam Khodja minaret.

Plan Your Visit

The covered bazaars are best explored during a stroll through Bukhara's historic center, ideally integrated into a broader itinerary that includes Samarkand and Khiva. To build a custom journey incorporating these commercial stops of the Silk Road, consult our suggestions for traveling in Uzbekistan.