The final stop on my walking tour of the hot city of Bukhara was the Chor-Minor Madrasa. With its compact shape and four low towers at the corners, this landmark looks quite unusual. A bonus for tourists visiting here is the opportunity to climb to the roof of the madrasa.
Chor-Minor Madrasa: Location
The madrasa is located in the central part of Bukhara. I walked here from the center, which took about 20 minutes. Planning the route is convenient using Yandex Maps.
Inside the madrasa, there is a small souvenir shop. Visitors can also climb to the roof of the building for 5,000 Uzbek soms (fall 2023). Both cash and international cards are accepted.
A Bit of History
The building we see today is just a part of a larger complex that once stood here. The ensemble originally included an inner courtyard with stables, a mosque, and a water pool. The surviving building served as an entrance structure to the complex.
Most sources state that Chor-Minor Madrasa was built in 1807, a date found in a Persian text on the first floor of the building. Some researchers dispute this, claiming that the construction was completed earlier.
The name Chor-Minor translates to "four minarets." Those who have visited Uzbekistan's capital, Tashkent, may be familiar with the large Chorsu Bazaar, where the word "chor" is also used. In this case, the toponym means "four waters" or "four streets."
Chor-Minor consists of two floors. A rather steep and narrow staircase leads to its roof. I wouldn’t say the view from the roof is particularly stunning, as the building is only 17 meters tall, but it’s worth climbing at least to get a close look at the vibrant tiles of the towers. The low cost of the climb is unlikely to be a burden on a traveler’s budget.
The mosque of the complex was dismantled in the 1950s. In 1995, one of the madrasa's towers collapsed, but it was immediately rebuilt. In the latter half of the 20th century, the previously destroyed pool was also restored.
As I mentioned at the beginning, Chor-Minor Madrasa was the last stop on my walking tour of Bukhara. For those interested in exploring other landmarks of the ancient city, I recommend a comprehensive overview article about my trip here.
Have a nice trip!
