The Palace of Khudáyár Khán in Kokand, Uzbekistan

Khudáyár Khán Palace was built in the 1870s by, well, Khudáyár Khán. You build it, you name it. Tsarist Russia showed up, eventually drove the Khan from his humble home and then the mean Bolsheviks destroyed most of the palace. No taste. Post-independent Uzbekistan has carried out a couple of restorations and today glimpses of old grandeur can be seen, as well as a couple of museums.

Good front on a grey day. A giant platform in the plaza is frequently present for shows, exhibitions.

Babushka and inner courtyard. Colorful column.

Throne room, fancy.

In case one takes the restoration for granted, there's a nice "before" section on display. All cleaned up! When few artifacts remain, you display what you have. Carts and a door.

In the museum for local tools, materials. On display, a funky, curved, semi diorama horse portrait thing. Inventive.

Bukharan Jews Synagogue In Kokand

A bit of a confusing title for the synagogue as Bukhara is nowhere near the city of Kokand, which is in Eastern Uzbekistan, in the Fergana Valley. The synagogue was built in 1904, presumably for Jews from Bukhara who wandered over to Kokand. New location, give props to home city heritage.

Humble exterior, probably a nice, garden oasis on a sunny, summer day.

Humble interior. Through the main entrance, first a relaxing, eating area with, yes, a humble kitchen.

The main temple area, bimah in the center.

View of the ark where torahs, prayer scrolls, are kept. The sign seems to be a list of exalted rabbis. Or Important Men. Prayer books of various vintages.

Prep station. Purify your hands, slap on a yarmulke and get ready for God. Key to unlock your faith.