South side of Tserkovnaya Street

west of Bazarnaya Even in its central part, some streets of the city bore the appearance of a village, in which only abundant greenery hid the squalid appearance of many of its buildings. The houses looked like temporary huts and were built of adobe or on wooden frames filled with clay (gaulak) with reed roofs. Clay blind duvals and outbuildings separated the courtyards from the streets. Often such buildings were unauthorized and were erected during times of wars and revolutions.