Fergana

Margilan is one of the oldest cities in Uzbekistan and Central Asia. It is located in the Fergana Valley, in the foothills of the Alai Range, nine kilometers from Fergana – the administrative center of the Fergana region. It is known that the age of Margilan exceeds 2000 years, and the first settlements on its territory arose long before our era. After centuries, no one can say with certainty how exactly the city got its name. Historians believe that the word “Margilon” has ancient Iranian roots and is translated as “Green Area”. There is also an opinion that the city was named by the first silkworm settlers who came from the Iranian city of Gilan, hence “Margilon” means “We are from Gilan.” Margilan residents tell a completely different story; they believe that the city was originally called “Murginon”, which means “Chicken with Bread”. This is how, in their opinion, Alexander the Great christened the city in honor of the dish that local residents treated him to. All these versions are good in their own way, and each is correct in its own way, because in Margilan everyone found something dear and close, and wanted to connect the history of the city with their own history.

Many peoples have always mixed in Margilan, due to the fact that the Great Silk Road passed through the city. It was silk that Margilan sold, so even then the city had a special status, and in beauty and development it could compete with Bukhara and even Samarkand. It was in those distant times that the Margilan people began to master silk weaving and sell the fabric to the west and east. Margilan silk was in no way inferior to Chinese, but at the same time had amazingly beautiful colors that could not be repeated anywhere else. Silk was distributed all over the world and had no equal. The city grew rich, became famous and attracted talented people, scientists and writers.

Now, like a thousand years ago, Margilan is famous for its fabrics, and many call it the “Silk Capital” of Uzbekistan. Margilan silk is produced using traditional technologies passed down from generation to generation, from master to master. A special feature is the painting method without modern dyes, by hand, in accordance with the secrets of our ancestors. The result is a strong fabric with unique, inimitable patterns.
Tourists in Margilan can see the complete process of making silk using the classical method at the Yedgorlik silk weaving factory. The factory is famous for the fact that all technological stages from processing silkworm cocoons to painting are carried out not using equipment, but by the hands of craftsmen using traditional tools. In addition to silk, Edgorlik also produces other fabrics, for example, cotton from the best varieties of cotton. Everything happens under the supervision of hereditary silk weaving masters, exclusively using organic materials, without the intervention of modern chemical processing means. Tourists also have the opportunity to purchase memorable souvenirs and pieces of fabric at the factory to bring them home and remember the amazing trip. In addition, there are souvenir shops around the city, where friendly sellers are ready to sell something memorable at very affordable prices.

A tour to Margilan also includes excursions through the quarters of the old city, where some examples of ancient architecture have been preserved. Among them, it is recommended to visit the architectural complex of Pir Siddiq. The center of the complex is considered to be the mausoleum of the Islamic saint Pir-Siddiq, which is associated with a legend that says that when the saint was hiding from the pagans, pigeons hid him from his pursuers. So these birds received special respect from the Margilan people. After the death of Pir-Siddiq, a mausoleum with a mosque and a courtyard for numerous savior pigeons was erected in his honor.

A tour of Margilan includes visits to other architectural monuments. For example, the existing Said Akhmad-Khoja madrasah, where up to 300 people can study, and the mosque at the madrasah is open for prayers. Or the Chakar Mosque, the walls and ceiling of which are painted not with the classic Uzbek angular ornament, but with floral patterns with variegated flowers. Of course, a tourist would like to visit everything and hear about everything; all that remains is to find a guide who is ready to tell about everything. To do this, it is better to contact AZIMTRAVEL. Employees of the travel company AZIMTRAVEL will not allow a lonely tourist to get lost in the noise of the craft city.