Chor Minor, Historic madrasa gate with four minarets in Bukhara, Uzbekistan
Chor Minor is a gatehouse with four towers topped by blue domes located northeast of the Lyab-i Hauz complex in Bukhara, Uzbekistan. Each tower displays distinct decorative patterns and is finished with ceramic tiles at its corners, creating a striking composition of traditional architectural craftsmanship.
The structure was built in 1807 by Turkmen Caliph Niyazkul as an entrance to a larger educational complex that no longer stands today. This construction reflects early 19th century architectural practices in Central Asia and the importance of learning institutions in Bukhara during that period.
The four towers display decorative elements from multiple religions, including Islamic, Christian, Buddhist, and Zoroastrian symbols that reflect Central Asian cultural exchange. These ornamental details show how different traditions met and influenced one another in this region.
The site sits in a tightly built neighborhood accessed through narrow streets lined with traditional houses and shops that you will explore on foot. The best time to visit is early in the day when temperatures are more comfortable and the streets are less crowded.
While three of the four towers serve as storage rooms, the fourth tower contains a staircase that leads to upper levels of the structure, allowing visitors to access different perspectives of the complex. This makes the fourth tower function quite differently from its three neighboring counterparts.
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