Chor-Minor Madrasah in Bukhara
Chor-Minor Madrasah
Chor Minor (alternatively known as the Madrasah of Khalif Niyaz-kul) is a building tucked away in a lane northeast of the Lyabi Hauz complex. The structure was built by Khalif Niyaz-kul, a wealthy Bukharan of Turkmen origin in the 19th century under the rule of the Janid dynasty.
The four-towered structure is sometimes mistaken for a gate to the madrasah that once existed behind the structure; however, the Char-Minar is actually a complex of buildings with two functions, ritual and shelter.
The main edifice is a mosque. In spite of its unusual outward shape, the building has a typical interior for a Central Asian mosque. Owing to the building's cupola, the room has good acoustic properties and therefore takes on special significance as a dhikr-hana — a place for ritualized dhikr ceremonies of Sufi practice, which often include recitation, singing, and instrumental music.
On either side of the central edifice are dwelling rooms, some of which have collapsed, leaving only their foundations visible. Consequently, for full functioning of a madrasah, only a classroom and some utility rooms are lacking.
However, it was common practice that so-called madrasahs had no lecture rooms or, even if they had, no lectures were given in them. These madrasahs were employed as student hospices.
Each of the four towers has different decorative motifs. Some say that elements of decoration reflect the four religions known to Central Asians. One can find elements reminiscent of a cross, a Christian fish motif, and a Buddhist prayer wheel, in addition to Zoroastrian and Islamic motifs.
On the esplanade to the right of Chor Minor is a pool, likely of the same age as the rest of the building complex. Chor Minor is now surrounded mainly by small houses and shops along its perimeter.
Entrance fee: 1.5 USD