Chor Minor (Чор Минор), meaning “Four Minarets” in Persian, is one of the most charming, unusual, and beloved architectural monuments in Bukhara, Uzbekistan. Built in 1807, this small, picturesque structure was the gatehouse to a larger madrassah complex that has since been destroyed. Tucked away in a maze of residential alleyways, Chor Minor is famous for its unique and imaginative design, which features four turquoise-domed towers that are unlike anything else in the city. More of a whimsical folly than a grand religious monument, it is a testament to the diverse cultural influences that passed through Bukhara.

Name and Address

• Name: Chor Minor Madrassah (also spelled Char Minar).
• Address: Located in the historic center of Bukhara, Uzbekistan, hidden in a residential area northeast of the Lyab-i Hauz complex.

How to Get There

Chor Minor is located within the old city of Bukhara, but it is slightly off the main tourist trail, requiring a short walk through local neighborhoods.

• By Foot (Recommended): The best way to reach Chor Minor is on foot. From the central Lyab-i Hauz ensemble, it is a pleasant 10-15 minute walk through winding residential streets. This walk is an attraction in itself, offering a glimpse into the daily life of old Bukhara.
• By Taxi: A taxi can get you close to the site, but you will likely need to walk the final short distance through the narrow lanes.
• Visitor Tip: The site is small, so it doesn’t take long to visit. The ground floor interior, which now houses a souvenir shop, is accessible, and for a small fee, you can climb a narrow staircase in one of the towers to the roof for a closer look at the domes and a view of the surrounding neighborhood.

Landscape and Architecture

The “architecture” of Chor Minor is unique and idiosyncratic, a creative departure from the traditional, monumental style of Bukhara’s other Islamic buildings.

• A Gatehouse, Not a Madrassah: The structure seen today is not the madrassah itself, but its gatehouse. The original madrassah was a single-story building that was demolished, leaving only this imaginative entrance.
• The Four Minarets: The defining feature is the four stout, 17-meter-high towers that give the building its name. These are not true minarets for the call to prayer but are purely decorative. Each tower is crowned with a vibrant turquoise-blue dome and features a unique decorative pattern, with no two being exactly alike.
• Compact and Quirky Design: The main building is a compact, cubical structure with a dome. The four towers rise from each of its corners. The design is said to have been inspired by the Charminar in Hyderabad, India, which the wealthy Turkmen merchant who funded the project, Khalif Niyaz-kul, had reportedly seen on his travels.
• Symbolic Decoration: The decorative motifs on the towers are a subject of much speculation. While Islamic in overall style, some observers see elements that hint at other faiths, such as shapes resembling a Christian fish, a cross, and a Buddhist prayer wheel, possibly reflecting the diverse cultural crossroads that Bukhara has always been.

What Makes It Famous

Chor Minor is famous for its completely unique and photogenic design, which stands in stark contrast to the grand, formal architecture of the rest of Bukhara.

• Unique “Four-Tower” Design: Its primary claim to fame is its one-of-a-kind architecture. There is no other building like it in Central Asia. The image of the four turquoise domes clustered together is one of the most iconic and memorable symbols of Bukhara.
• A Hidden Gem: Its location, tucked away from the main squares, gives it the feeling of a hidden treasure. Discovering it at the end of a winding alley is a rewarding experience for visitors.
• A Symbol of Cultural Synthesis: The eclectic decorative elements on the towers are often interpreted as a symbol of religious and cultural tolerance, representing the four world religions known to Central Asians at the time.

Differences from Other Wonders

Chor Minor’s charm lies in how different it is from the other major sites in Bukhara.

• Quirky and Intimate vs. Grand and Monumental: While the Poi Kalyan Complex and the madrasahs of the Lyab-i Hauz are vast, imposing structures designed to project power and grandeur, Chor Minor is small, intimate, and whimsical. Its appeal is in its charming peculiarity, not its scale.
• A Gatehouse vs. a Complete Ensemble: Chor Minor is a fragment of a larger complex, a beautifully preserved gatehouse whose main building is gone. This gives it a different character from complete architectural ensembles like Poi Kalyan.
• An Individual’s Vision vs. State-Sponsored Grandeur: The building was funded by a single wealthy merchant, and its unique design reflects his personal vision and cosmopolitan experiences. This contrasts with the major mosques and madrasahs, which were typically state-sponsored projects built in an established architectural style.
• Focus on Form vs. Function: The four towers are purely decorative and symbolic, unlike the functional minarets of other mosques. The building’s fame rests almost entirely on its unusual and imaginative form.