Central Asia’s holiest city, Bukhara, has a long history spanning 2,500 years and was an integral part of the Persian Empire for centuries. Within the city there are more than 350 mosques and 100 religious colleges. Bukhara was part of what came to be called the ‘Golden Road’, the meeting point of the northern and southern branches of the Silk Road, and hence a great centre for commerce, religion and culture.