Sitorai Mokhi Khosa

A suburban palace of the Bukhara emirs Sitorai Mokhi Khosa is situated in 4 km. to the north of Bukhara. The building of the palace was started in the beginning of XIX century, but the most part of buildings on this territory belongs to the period of government of the last emir- Said Alim Khan (1911-1920).

The entrance portal is decorated with mosaic tiles of several colors. The palace consists of two yards: internal and external. The yards are connected by a corridor with gates. The main building of the palace and most constructions are in the internal yard.

Emir Alim Khan visited many countries, and being inspired by their architecture he ordered to create the same buildings in Bukhara. Some architects were sent to Sank Petersburg to learn the new architectural style for Bukhara.

When the rooms of the main palace’s building were finished, the composition of European and oriental styles became evident.

The main building consists of bedroom, khan’s reception room, waiting room, banquet room, secretary’s room and tearoom.

The most interesting is interior of reception room, which is made in Bukhara style. This room is called a “White hall”, as the room is gracefully decorated with gunch-carving. The additional sophistication is mirrors built into the wall like a panel. They create a background for a gunch- carved pattern. The best Bukhara architects led by Usto Shirin Muradov spent two years to create the “White hall”.

There was a big garden on the territory of the palace, where could be found rare animals and birds.   Inside the garden remained a guests house and building of khan’s harem also remained on the coast of the pool.

Presently, there is a branch office of the Bukhara’s local history museum in Sitorai Mokhi Khosa palace.