One of the interesting attractions I visited while strolling through ancient Bukhara was the Lyab-i Hauz architectural ensemble. This place is popular among visitors due to its favorable location near famous tourist sites and the presence of several establishments where you can enjoy local cuisine and experience the local culture.
How to Get There
Bukhara is a relatively small city, and many travelers get around on foot; I was no exception. My walking route began at the Ark Fortress, from there I walked to the Poi-Kalyan ensemble and then headed to Lyab-i Hauz. The distance of this route is only one and a half kilometers.
The area consists of several buildings, with a pond in the center where there are tables for guests of a local restaurant. There is also seating in the courtyard of the Nadir-Divan-Begi madrasa, where theatrical performances with live music are held.
Exploring Lyab-i Hauz
The complex includes a pool and several buildings: the Kukeldash madrasa, and the Nadir-Divan-Begi madrasa and khanaka. For those unfamiliar with Eastern terminology, a madrasa is a Muslim educational institution, and a khanaka is a religious building, a dervish retreat. Khanakas were centers for the spread of Islam, and they housed residential buildings, assembly halls, and mosques.
The oldest building in the Lyab-i Hauz complex is the Kukeldash madrasa, constructed between 1568 and 1569. In the first half of the following century, a second madrasa and a khanaka were added to the area.
Surrounding Lyab-i Hauz are numerous hotels, shops, and dining places. As mentioned earlier, there is a restaurant right by the pool. I didn’t get a chance to visit it, but according to reviews on online maps, it’s a respectable place. The organization has a rating of five out of five, with more than 1,000 users having left reviews about the restaurant.
Another interesting feature of the complex is the statue of Hodja Nasreddin, a folkloric character depicted sitting on a donkey. Capturing a photo of the statue without strangers was almost impossible on the day of my visit, as there was a long line of people waiting to take pictures with the monument.
I only had a short time to explore the complex, as I had another fascinating attraction to visit before my departure — the Chor-Minor madrasa. I will discuss this building in one of my upcoming articles.
Have a nice trip!
