Poi Kalyan Complex

The Poi Kalyan is one of the famous religious complexes in Central Asia and consists of Kalyan Minaret, Mir-Arab Madras and Kalyan Mosque.

Its name is translated as “at the foot of the Great”. Under the “Great” it is considered a Kalyan Minaret built in the beginning of XII century during the government of the Karahanides dynasty. The high of minaret, made from burnt bricks, is 47 meters.

The line of patterned bricks, surrounding the minaret stem, is very expressive. Muezzins called on Muslims to pray exactly from this minaret. The minaret also played a role of lighthouse for trade caravans traveling to Bukhara from different cities.  The style of Kalyan building became an object of simulation for building of other minarets.

The next building composing a complex is Mir-Arab Madras, which was built in XVI century.  Its name translated as “Prince-Arab”. This madras was built at the decree of Sheikh Abdulla Yemeni, who was invited in Bukhara by emir from the Sheybanides dynasty.  Tombs of sheikh, his associates and khan Ubaydullo are situated in the former mosque of the madras.  The madras was closed during soviet period and started operating at the decree of Josef Stalin for ethical reasons in 1947. Young men still get a general religious education here.

Kalyan Mosque is one of the oldest and the second highest mosque in Central Asia after Bibi-Khanim Mosque in Samarkand. The building was started in XV century. A rich facing of the main façade is made in a faultless style. The mosque size is 121x78 meters. The building consists of square courtyard surrounded by galleries with open brick cupolas set on square columns. During religious feasts and on Fridays the mosque can seat up to 10 000 worshippers.