Burana Tower

Burana Tower

Burana Tower is a minaret built in 11 century. There was a thriving city on the Great Silk Road - Balasagun where many traders used to come to that place to sell their goods and spend a night. There is a Tower that is 24 meters high now. At that time it was 45 meters high but because of the earthquake in 15 century have of it fell down. This tower stood for a beacon light for travelers and traders, as a watching tower and as a place to call local people to pray. People left this place after the earthquake in the 15^th century because they believed that this catastrophe was a sign of a big curse. That is way there ran away in a hurry and did not have the majority of their things. Our archeologist found many artifacts there and you can see some of them in a local museum. The other part of artifacts was taken to Russian in Soviet time. The houses in the city were made of clay and they melt that melted with the course of time. Now you can see only the tower and a hill nearby that is supposed to be khan's palace.

Also you will see there a cemetery of Balbals which are Stone Warriors. In the 7 century people used to make them in honor of dead warriors distinguished in war. They were found in different places of Kyrgyzstan and taken to this place in order to save them for next generation.

Nearby you will see ancient petroglyphs - stone paintings. Some of them are from the 8 century B.C. They also were taken to the Balasagun city to be shown for tourists and travelers.

 

9.00 a.m.     You will meet your guide at hotel.

10:30 a.m.   Arrival to the Burana Tower. And excursion to the tower, balbals and petrogliphs

                   when you will find out why and what for they were made.

12.30 p.m.   You are taken back to your hotel. You can have lunch whether in hotel or in one the restaurants in Bishkek.