Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva, together with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, First Lady Ziroatkhon Mirziyoyeva and family members, visited the historic Ark Fortress in Bukhara on August 24.

The visit highlighted the deep cultural and historical ties between Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan, as the leaders toured one of Bukhara’s most important landmarks, Azertac reports.

The Ark Fortress dates back to the 4th century BCE, while much of its present appearance took shape during the 17th and 18th centuries.

In the early 20th century, the fortress served as the winter residence of the rulers of Bukhara. Today, the historic complex covers around four hectares.

A significant part of the fortress was destroyed in 1920. Since 1947, the Bukhara State Museum-Reserve has operated within the fortress, preserving the site’s rich historical heritage.