We are in the Fergana Valley, considered to be the most fertile part of Central Asia. Alexander the Great founded a city here in 329BCE. This area was on the famous Silk Road trade route. They grew and continue to grow grains, silk, cotton, nuts, vegetables and fruits here. The current city of Fergana was established by the Russians in 1876 and retains its Russian influence to this day. Early settlers were encouraged to plant trees and it is now one of the greenest cities in Uzbekistan.
Fields where grapes are grown for eating, not for making wine.
Another important crop grown in the area is wheat.
Local market where you can buy almost anything.
Making “somsa”, the popular local version of an empanada.
From Fergana we drove the short distance to the city of Kokand, that dates back to the 10th century where we visited an 18th century Madrassah school and the 1873 palace of Khudayer Khan with its 113 rooms.
The Narbutabey Madrassah, a boys Islamic school that was originally built in 1799.
A Madrassah was an Islamic boys school.
All these buildings have elaborate mosaic tilework.
A local person who was coming to worship later in the day. He took us around and showed us the adjacent mosque.
It was a simple mosque where worshippers stayed outdoors.
A saying from the Koran.
The attached Muslim cemetery where the graves are simple with no special adornments.
The 113 room palace of Khudayar Khan.
Another view of the palace facade.
Entrance to the palace.
Carved doors.
Closeup of the door carving.
Ceramic tiles with elaborate design are everywhere.
More decor in the palace.
Carving in the palace.
Look at the detail in the ceiling.
One of the 113 rooms in the palace.
The blossom on a pomegranate tree growing in the palace courtyard.
Clothing on display in the palace.
Map of the old Silk Road.
A 19th century Koran.
School kids ready to spend money on some snacks after a visit to the palace. He was the first of dozens of kids who interacted with this lady.
The school kids wanted a picture with our group.
Nearby is the Jami Mosque, one of the 600 mosques and 15 Islamic boys teaching schools (called “madrassah) that once existed here.
The Jami mosque, dating to the early 19th century.
Top of the minaret at the mosque.
Inside the Jami mosque.
Walkway in the exterior of the Jami mosque.
Carved exterior of the mosque.
It was then on to the town of Rishtan, famous for its ceramics. We visited the shop of a ceramics master where we saw how the intricate pottery is made and painted, all by hand. Lunch was also served in the garden area of this small “oasis” in the city.
Entering the home of a ceramic master,
The beauty of the home is behind the entry.
They love growing roses in this part of the world. We saw them everywhere.
Lunch in the garden area.
Still warm bread!
Fresh yogurt, pickled beets, roasted nuts and cilantro.
Another delicious soup.
Meat filled dumplings that reminded me of Asian fare.
Dessert of cherries, coated nuts and cookies.
Watching a master at work.
Everything is painted by hand!
Drawing the pattern by hand.
Ready to be painted then fired. It takes days to complete one of these dishes.
Examples of the type of ceramics they make here.
Leaving there we visited a local business that grew silk and made silk products. There we received a fairly detailed explanation and demonstration of how silk is created and made into unique products. Of course we were given the opportunity to purchase some unique, fairly inexpensive silk products they manufactured.
Walking down an alley to get to a neighborhood silk “factory”.
We interrupted a kid soccer game.
This 17 year old kid acted as our guide. He was knowledgeable and articulate!
Silkworms eating Mulberry leaves. They feed for one month before making cocoons.
Showing how the cocoons are converted into silk thread.
Creating the design for the silk weaving.
Weaving the silk into a final product.
Watching some “magic” as they created some remarkable designs on the silk by dipping it into these dyes. It was like making tie dyed tee shirts.
The resultant silk product. Impressive!
Note the unique designs these guys created by dipping the raw silk in the different dyes. It was an impressive display.
They wanted a picture with our whole group.
Of course we were taken to their shop….to shop!
Lots of opportunity to spend money. Prices were quite reasonable.
I was tempted to…but passed up buying this for $70!
After the shopping spree we returned in the late afternoon to our hotel in Fergana for dinner again in a private home. We move on in the morning.
Local bakery selling artistic breads.
Furkat bought this to serve at our dinner tonight.
Entry to the courtyard and home where we had dinner.
Another trio of appetizers, which included marinated mushrooms.
Delicious chicken dish. I was impressed with the flavor of the potatoes in this country.
Sweet dessert tonight, no fruit.
Our host showing us the picture of his father who served in the Russian army.
