+99 888 1664000 info@uzbekistan1.com

Login

Sign Up

After creating an account, you'll be able to track your payment status, track the confirmation and you can also rate the tour after you finished the tour.
Username*
Password*
Confirm Password*
First Name*
Last Name*
Birth Date*
Email*
Phone*
Country*
* Creating an account means you're okay with our Terms of Service and Privacy Statement.
Please agree to all the terms and conditions before proceeding to the next step

Already a member?

Login

Login

Sign Up

After creating an account, you'll be able to track your payment status, track the confirmation and you can also rate the tour after you finished the tour.
Username*
Password*
Confirm Password*
First Name*
Last Name*
Birth Date*
Email*
Phone*
Country*
* Creating an account means you're okay with our Terms of Service and Privacy Statement.
Please agree to all the terms and conditions before proceeding to the next step

Already a member?

Login
+99 888 1664000 info@uzbekistan1.com

Login

Sign Up

After creating an account, you'll be able to track your payment status, track the confirmation and you can also rate the tour after you finished the tour.
Username*
Password*
Confirm Password*
First Name*
Last Name*
Birth Date*
Email*
Phone*
Country*
* Creating an account means you're okay with our Terms of Service and Privacy Statement.
Please agree to all the terms and conditions before proceeding to the next step

Already a member?

Login

Poi-Kalyan Ensemble

Poi-Kalyan Ensemble:

Unveiling the Tapestry of Time in Bukhara

In the heart of Bukhara, the Poi-Kalyan Ensemble unfolds like a tapestry, weaving together the threads of history, culture, and spirituality. It stands as a tribute to the enduring spirit of a city that has been a cradle of civilization for centuries, inviting travelers to embark on a journey through time as they explore its storied grounds.

Poi-Kalyan Ensemble: The Pedestal of the Great

The Poi-Kalyan Ensemble reigns as the main architectural jewel in the center of Bukhara, strategically positioned on the route to the bustling crossroads of the “four bazars.” The name Poi-Kalyan translates to “the pedestal of the Great,” a nod to the majestic Kalyan Minaret that graces the ensemble. Comprising four significant monuments, it features the Kalyan Mosque and the Miri-Arab Madrasah, facing each other with their main facades. Between them stands the imposing Kalyan Minaret, while to the south of Miri-Arab rests the charming Amir-Allimkhan Madrasah.

Kalyan Minaret: A Towering Beacon

The Kalyan Minaret emerges as a towering vertical pillar, soaring above the cityscape. In the early days of Islam, the call to prayer, or azan, was proclaimed by simply raising the mosque roof. The term “minaret” derives from “minor,” signifying a place where something is illuminated. In ancient times, these structures resembled tall, multi-story towers, reminiscent of the Pharos Lighthouse, which stood at a towering 143 meters and dates back to 283 BC.

During the early 12th century, Arslan-khan undertook the task of rebuilding the minaret of the old mosque. Unfortunately, upon completion, the minaret collapsed, suffering extensive damage. Unfazed, Arslan-khan initiated a second construction effort. The turquoise majolica inscription beneath the light cornice of the Kalyan Minaret indicates its completion in 1127. The name “Arslan-khan” graces the midsection of the minaret, while the master behind this architectural marvel, Bano, rests in an honored burial site between neighboring blockhouses. This Maveranahr-style minaret boasts a round-trunk brick tower adorned with an arch light. Its impressive dimensions include a lower diameter of 9 meters, an upper diameter of 6 meters, and a towering height of 45.6 meters. Inside the trunk, a brick-winding staircase winds its way to the top, while a sixteen-arch light rotunda hangs gracefully over the minaret, supported by intricately decorated running-out laying rows that form a stalactite cornice.

Kalyan Mosque: A Resilient Masterpiece

The Kalyan Madrasah, a resilient masterpiece that endured the ravages of time, stands as a monument dating back to the 5th century. Resurrected from its ruins during the Soviet era, the mosque underwent partial reconstruction in the early 16th century. The captivating arches and portal decor showcase the evolving style of the Bukharan oasis during the 16th and 17th centuries. An inscription beneath the arch portal, featuring a poetic excerpt from the Quran, bears witness to the mosque’s reconstruction in 1514-1515. In 1541, a marble board inscribed with Abdullaziz I’s decree, granting relief from certain taxes to the residents of Bukhara, was affixed at the entrance of the main portal.

In the heart of Bukhara, the Poi-Kalyan Ensemble stands as a living testament to the city’s enduring legacy. Each monument within this architectural marvel whispers tales of triumph, resilience, and the cultural richness that defines this ancient city. As travelers explore the ensemble’s grounds, they become part of a narrative that has unfolded over centuries, a narrative woven into the very fabric of Bukhara’s history.