Baku: The next feature in AZERTAC’s ‘If I Were a Tourist’ column highlights the Bukhara Caravanserai. The Bukhara Caravanserai, a 15th-century monument of national significance located in Icherisheher, was built along an ancient trade route and once served as a shelter for Central Asian merchants. The historic structure has now been restored to its former grandeur as part of a large-scale project implemented in line with an order by President Ilham Aliyev. The restoration ensured the preservation of its architectural and engineering features.
According to Azerbaijan State News Agency, under a new concept, the Bukhara Caravanserai has been transformed into a functional and creative space for local artisans. It comprises 18 rooms, each allocated to craftsmen from different fields. In these spaces, artisans create, display, and sell their handmade works on a daily basis.
In addition, ‘BuxarArt’ operates as an interactive art space for both local and international visitors. Artisans conduct a range of masterclasses, offering hands-on demonstrations of Azerbaijani folk crafts. The venue showcases traditional arts such as weaving, sculpture, leatherwork, painting, carpet weaving, metal forging, miniature art, ceramics, Ebru (Turkish art of marbling), felting, and wood carving.
The opening of the Bukhara Caravanserai is significant for preserving national craft traditions, expanding creative opportunities for artisans, and bringing Azerbaijan’s rich cultural heritage closer to both local and international audiences.