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With the arrival of Islam in the 7th Century, religious constructions were erected in Bukhara.
One of them is a monumental architectural ensemble, consisting
of Kalyan mosque and minaret, as well as Miri-Arab madrasah.
They compose a single architectural complex called Poi-Kalyan, which is translated as “the foot of the Great”.
Kalyan minaret was constructed in the beginning of the 12th Century. The thick trunk of the minaret narrows up
– from 9 meters at the basis to 6 meters on the top. The minaret is 46.5 meters high.
It is incredible, but throughout its 800 years of history it never required major maintenance or repairs.
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An open area in the upper part of the minaret, from which the muezzin calls for prayer, was also used as a
watchtower. According to the legends the criminals were thrown down from the top of the minaret.
Miri-Arab madrasah was one of the largest from among 180 big and small madrasahs of ancient Bukhara.
Kalyan mosque was erected in the beginning of 15th Century, it is considered to be one of the most ancient
mosques and second largest after Bibi-Khanum mosque located in Samarkand.
As many as 10,000 people could pray here simultaneously.
Its rectangular yard is framed by the galleries consisting of 288 domes.
Nowadays, Poi-Kalyan architectural ensemble is one of the most visited places in Bukhara. |
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As in the other parts of Sogdian State, in 16th-17th Centuries the mausoleums were not constructed in
Bukhara. Instead of mausoleums the large burial places of prominent representatives of Muslim clergy
and members of their kin were erected.
One of such family necropolis was the burial-vault of Djuybar Sheikhs, which started from the burial
of the famous Sufi named Khodji Islam Djuybari. That was a famous Chor Bakr, erected in the 16th
century
nor far from Bukhara. Its original composition is made from the three traditional Muslim buildings – a
mosque, khonako and khudjras. |
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People in Bukhara still believe that if in only day you make a pilgrimage to four mazars were the
saints, whose name contain the name Bakr,
are buried, then any wish may come true.
In necropolis only one ancestor of Djuybara Khodjas is buried –
Abu Bakr Saad. But the name of this necropolis is translated
as “The four from Bakr”.
That explains why this necropolis is so much popular for pilgrimage.
Many generations of people maintained and took care of the necropolis.
One of the most diligent of them was the grandson of Bukhara Sufi named Khodji Islam Djuybari. |
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