The Ark of Bukhara is a massive fortified citadel rising above the historic center of Bukhara, Uzbekistan, and one of the city’s most important surviving monuments. Built and rebuilt over many centuries, the citadel served as the residence and administrative center of Bukhara’s rulers and contained palaces, mosques, government offices, living quarters, stables, and other facilities within its walls. The present fortress occupies an artificial embankment reaching about 20 meters high and covers roughly 4.2 hectares. Its monumental entrance, steep earthen walls, and surviving buildings form a striking reminder of Bukhara’s role as a political and cultural center along the Silk Roads. The Ark is part of Bukhara’s UNESCO-listed Historic Centre.