Burana Tower - 2013
The Burana Tower is a large minaret near the town of Tokmok in northern Krygyzstan.
The tower, along with grave markers, some earthworks and the remnants of a castle
and three mausoleums, is all that remains of the ancient city of Balasagun.
The city was established by the Karakhanids, a Turkic dynasty which ruled in this area, at the end of the 9th century.
The tower was originally 45 metres high.
However, over the centuries a number of earthquakes have caused significant damage to the structure.
The last major earthquake in the 15th century destroyed the top half of the tower,
reducing it to its current height of 25 metres.
The passage-way to the top of the tower.
On the top of the tower
The views from the top.
A small museum is nearby. The yurt houses a gift-shop.
With our guide, Veronika, on the top of the tower.
A legend connected with the tower says that a witch warned a local king that his
newly-born daughter would die once she reached the age of eighteen.
To protect her, he built a tall tower where he sequestered his daughter.
No one entered the tower, except the daughter's servant who brought her food.
The daughter grew up alone and became a beautiful young lady.
One day, however, a poisonous spider was hiding in the food brought by the servant.
The spider bit the girl, and she died in the tower, at the age of eighteen.
A collection of 6th - 10th century balbals (Turkic totem stone-markers) have been placed nearby.
The gift-shop inside the yurt.
The Burana Tower is a large minaret near the town of Tokmok in northern Krygyzstan.
The tower, along with grave markers, some earthworks and the remnants of a castle
and three mausoleums, is all that remains of the ancient city of Balasagun.
The city was established by the Karakhanids, a Turkic dynasty which ruled in this area, at the end of the 9th century.
The tower was originally 45 metres high.
However, over the centuries a number of earthquakes have caused significant damage to the structure.
The last major earthquake in the 15th century destroyed the top half of the tower,
reducing it to its current height of 25 metres.
The passage-way to the top of the tower.
On the top of the tower
The views from the top.
A small museum is nearby. The yurt houses a gift-shop.
With our guide, Veronika, on the top of the tower.
A legend connected with the tower says that a witch warned a local king that his
newly-born daughter would die once she reached the age of eighteen.
To protect her, he built a tall tower where he sequestered his daughter.
No one entered the tower, except the daughter's servant who brought her food.
The daughter grew up alone and became a beautiful young lady.
One day, however, a poisonous spider was hiding in the food brought by the servant.
The spider bit the girl, and she died in the tower, at the age of eighteen.
A collection of 6th - 10th century balbals (Turkic totem stone-markers) have been placed nearby.
The gift-shop inside the yurt.
