Photo: ElenaLitera · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Chor Minor

Chor Minor is a small, unusual building in the lanes of Bukhara, topped by four blue-domed towers unlike anything else in the city. It sits just steps from the busy central squares, in the middle of everyday neighbourhood life.

History

Chor Minor was built in 1807, under the Manghit dynasty, by Khalif Niyaz-kul, a wealthy Bukharan of Turkmen origin. It is also known as the Madrasa of Khalif Niyaz-kul. The madrasa that once stood behind it has been demolished, so today the gatehouse and a few remains around it are what survive.

The building has no real parallel in Bukhara's architecture, and what inspired Niyaz-kul to build it this way is unclear. The name means "four minarets" in Persian. It is part of the Historic Centre of Bukhara, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

What to see

The main draw is the four towers, each capped with a dome covered in blue ceramic tile. Despite the name they are not true minarets: three were used for storage, and one holds the staircase to the upper floor. Each tower has different decoration. Some say the motifs echo the several faiths known in Central Asia, though this is an interpretation rather than established fact.

The main building is a mosque. Its dome gives it good acoustics, which made it well suited to Sufi dhikr ceremonies. Beside it you can see a pool and the foundations of some former rooms. Small houses and shops surround the site, and a craft shop may operate within the gatehouse.

Visiting tips

Chor Minor lies in a lane northeast of the Lyab-i Hauz complex. It makes an easy short stop while walking through the old town, and half an hour is enough for most visitors. The lanes can be winding, so check a map beforehand.

Entry arrangements, opening times and any restoration work can change, so check before you go. Morning or late afternoon light tends to show off the blue domes well. People live and work around the site, so be considerate as you explore the surrounding streets.