Part of the Lyab-i Hauz ensemble (1622-1623), built by the dignitary Nadir Divan-Begi, uncle and first minister of Imamquli Khan, who ruled Bukhara from 1611 to 1642. A curious story: originally conceived as a khan (a trading yard), the building was reconsecrated as a madrasa by the khan's order at the very opening. A trace of the original intention is still visible: inside there is neither a lecture hall nor a mosque, only hujra cells around the courtyard. The facade is decorated with a mosaic panel showing two mythical simurgh birds carrying white does in their claws, with a sun bearing a human face between them; depictions of living creatures are a great rarity in Islamic art, and the mirrored pair of birds repeats the device of the Sher-Dor Madrasa in Samarkand, put up at almost the same time. The building stands on the eastern side of the square and forms a kosh with the khanaka opposite, a pair of buildings set facade to facade. Nadir Divan-Begi himself was one of the wealthiest men of the khanate, and it was his money that gave the pool both its khanaka and its madrasa. Today there are souvenirs and a puppet theatre inside, and in the evenings a folklore show runs in the courtyard.
- Address
- Lyab-i Hauz Square, Bukhara
- Opening hours
- 9:00-19:00
- Prices
- Free admission
On the map
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