Old Jewish Houses In Bukhara

James recently had a chance to photograph a group of old houses in Bukhara that once belonged to Jewish families. The houses are in the old part of the city and stick to a specific architectural style. The iconic style is a series of small rooms with one, grand, rectangular room for gathering, hosting, receiving family and friends.

The houses were constructed in the late 19th to early 20th centuries. The exterior of the main room consists of a double height porch with carved wood columns. Good shade from the hot summers.

Typical interior. Rectangular, wood floor and ceiling, carved casework, a riot of paint detail. Frequently, a big metal heater will have been added.

Room details. There's usually a set of matching, elaborate curio cases surrounding the entry doors at the ends of a room. Raised plaster work in natural patterns.

Another house. The uses now vary from left to ruin, maybe empty, perhaps a restaurant or still a family home. This house is currently being used as a local hostel.

How does one know it's a house that belonged to a Jewish family? The architectural style seems to be the same for non-Jewish families. Easy, just check for writing and symbols on the walls.

Underneath the big room, a big basement. Messy.

Another look at room details, great plaster work and cutouts. A little restoration TLC is needed for most of the houses.

Or a lot of restoration, before collapse. A neglected, abandoned house.

Not neglected. A formal portrait of a family still living in one of the houses and some of their things in the main room.

Stunning details like in this image speak loudly at the importance of preserving the fine architectural and Jewish heritage of the houses.