Bukhara, Uzbekistan
Mosque in Bukhara, Uzbekistan
Chor Minor, Persian for four minarets, is a small and unique building in a quiet lane north-east of the Lyab-i Hauz ensemble, built in 1807 under the Manghit dynasty by Khalif Niyaz-kul, a wealthy Bukharan of Turkmen origin. It belonged to a madrasa that was later demolished, leaving only this building, some foundations and a pool. It has no parallel in Bukhara's architecture, and what inspired its builder remains unclear. Four short towers with blue domes stand at its corners; they are not true minarets, and each is decorated differently, which some explain as symbols of different faiths or of the builder's four daughters. Inside is a small mosque with a typical Central Asian plan, while the towers served as storerooms and rooms. One tower collapsed in 1995 and was rebuilt. The building is part of the Historic Centre of Bukhara World Heritage Site and one of the city's most recognisable images.
A short visit: fifteen minutes is enough, and the towers look best in late-afternoon light. The caretaker may let you up to the roof to see the domes close up. It sits among houses about ten minutes' walk from Lyab-i Hauz; ask the way in the lanes.
Hours and prices change — check before you go. Source: en.wikipedia.org
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