Chor-Minor

Chor-Minor, literally meaning "Four Minarets," stands as one of Bukhara's most distinctive and photographed architectural monuments, representing a unique example of 19th-century Bukhara architecture. Built in 1807 by the wealthy merchant Khalif Niyazkul as the gatehouse to his madrasah, this charming structure consists of four small minarets of different heights and decorative patterns, each crowned with a distinctive turquoise dome.

What makes Chor-Minor particularly fascinating is that each of its four minarets displays different architectural details and proportions, making it a study in asymmetrical harmony. The building served as the entrance portal to a madrasah complex (now largely destroyed), and its unusual design reflects the personal taste and perhaps eccentricity of its patron. The structure demonstrates the continuation of traditional Central Asian architectural forms into the 19th century, while also showing influences from contemporary decorative trends. 

Today, visitors can climb the narrow staircase inside one of the minarets to enjoy panoramic views of the old city, while the ground floor has been converted into a small souvenir shop run by local artisans.