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Looking out from one of the side arcades of the mosque, you see the Kalyan Minaret rising in the distance. Built in 1127, it still stands tall above Bukhara. In the warm morning light, this view brings together centuries of Islamic architecture, from the Kalyan Mosque to the nearby domed buildings. Moments like this show why Bukhara has been a spiritual and cultural heart of the Silk Road for over a thousand years.
The central iwan of the Kalyan Mosque, part of the Po-i-Kalyan complex, is lit by the soft light of early morning. Completed in 1514, this vast mosque could hold up to 12,000 worshippers and was built to face the towering Kalyan Minaret across the courtyard. With its perfect symmetry, detailed tilework, and peaceful atmosphere, it's easy to forget that this is one of the most visited UNESCO sites in Central Asia.
At 5:30 AM, Bukhara's old town feels like another world — silent, golden, and almost surreal. One morning, I stood in front of the Po-i-Kalyan complex, where the fully visible Kalyan Minaret and the Kalyan Mosque face each other in quiet grandeur.
The Kalyan Minaret, built in 1127 by the Karakhanid ruler Arslan Khan, rises 45.6 meters into the sky. It has witnessed nearly nine centuries of Bukhara's history — surviving everything from earthquakes to Genghis Khan's invasion, which left the minaret standing while much of the city was destroyed. Known as the "Tower of Death," it was once used for executions by being thrown from the top of the tower.
To the right stands the Kalyan Mosque, completed in 1514 under Ubaydullah Khan of the Shaybanid dynasty. With space for up to 12,000 worshippers, it remains one of the largest mosques in Central Asia. Its architecture includes a massive courtyard surrounded by 288 domes supported by 208 columns.
In the early morning light, with no one else around, the entire complex radiates a timeless calm. These are the moments that make getting up before sunrise completely worth it.
At 5:30 AM, Bukhara's old town is a different world — silent, golden, and almost surreal. This morning, I stood before the Po-i-Kalyan complex, where the 12th-century Kalyan Minaret, you see a glimpse of it on the left side of this picture, and the 16th-century Kalyan Mosque face each other in quiet grandeur.
The Kalyan Minaret, built in 1127 by Arslan Khan, rises 45.6 meters. It has survived centuries, including Genghis Khan's invasion, which spared the minaret while destroying much around it. Its brickwork and towering presence have earned it the nickname "Tower of Death," a reference to its use for executions in the past.
The Kalyan Mosque, completed in 1514 under the Shaybanid ruler Ubaydullah Khan, is one of Central Asia's largest mosques. It can accommodate up to 12,000 worshippers. The mosque's design features a vast courtyard surrounded by 288 domes supported by 208 columns.
The complex exudes a timeless serenity in the early morning light, with no crowds. Moments like these make the effort of rising before dawn worthwhile.
SAMARKAND, UZBEKISTAN - JUNE 09, 2022: Sher Dor Madrasa (Ulugh Bek) is a part of Registan ancient city.
For over five centuries the Kalyan Mosque (1514) has acted as the main mosque of Bukhara.
The interior of the Kalyan Mosque features impressive arched galleries around the perimeter of the yard, covered by 288 domes placed on 208 columns.
Bukhara, Uzbekistan #4001
30 April 2024
(c) Natasha Emerson
@natashaemersonphotos
For over five centuries the Kalyan Mosque has acted as the main mosque of Bukhara. During the restoration works of the 1970s the façades of the mosque were re-faced with mosaic tiles and glazed bricks.
The octagonal rotunda in front of the portal of the Kalyan Mosque. It is used as a pulpit for sermon reading.
Bukhara, Uzbekistan #4006
30 April 2024
The iwan of the Masjidi Kalon (Kalon Mosque) at night.
The mosque occupies the site of an earlier congregational mosque - the structure that exists today was built during the 15th century.
The tall pishtaq has a semi-octagonal iwan, beautifully illuminated at night.
Bukhara, Uzbekistan #1020248
29 April 2024
The 15th century. Kalon Mosque at night. The
A single story arcade of blind arches forms the main exterior façade. In the centre is a tall pishtaq with a semi-octagonal iwan.
Bukhara, Uzbekistan #1020244
29 April 2024
The iwan of the Masjidi Kalon (Kalon Mosque) at night.
The mosque occupies the site of an earlier congregational mosque - the structure that exists today was build during the 15th century.
The tall pishtaq has a semi-octagonal iwan, beautifully illuminated at night.
Bukhara, Uzbekistan #1020256
29 April 2024
The 46 metre Kalyan Minaret has a tapering shaft decorated in bands of unrepeated patterns. The minaret was used for the call to prayer as well as a watchtower during periods of war.
Also visible is the mosque's entrance portal (pishtaq), façade of the Mir-i-Arab Madrasa and the entrance to Amir Olim Khan Madrasah.
Bukhara, Uzbekistan #3582
29 April 2024
Poi-Kalon ensemble (or Po-i-Kalyan Complex) is one of the main architectural structures of Bukhara. The complex is located in the center of the historic part of the city and consists of three buildings built in the 12th-16th centuries: Miri Arab Madrasah, Kalyan Mosque and Kalyan Minaret.
In 1127, the Kalyan Minaret with the height of 46.5 meters was erected by the order of the Karakhanid king Arslan-Khan.
In 1514 by the order of Ubaidullah Khan, the second largest mosque of the country, Kalyan Mosque was built on the site of the destroyed Karakhanid Mosque. The mosque has a rectangular plan, with a spacious inner courtyard. In 1535-1536, Ubaidullah Khan then invested a lot of money in the construction of Miri-Arab Madrasah for Sheikh Abdullah of Yemen, who was an influential spiritual mentor of the ruler.
Poi-Kalon ensemble (or Po-i-Kalyan Complex) is one of the main architectural structures of Bukhara. The complex is located in the center of the historic part of the city and consists of three buildings built in the 12th-16th centuries: Miri Arab Madrasah, Kalyan Mosque and Kalyan Minaret.
In 1127, the Kalyan Minaret with the height of 46.5 meters was erected by the order of the Karakhanid king Arslan-Khan.
In 1514 by the order of Ubaidullah Khan, the second largest mosque of the country, Kalyan Mosque was built on the site of the destroyed Karakhanid Mosque. The mosque has a rectangular plan, with a spacious inner courtyard. In 1535-1536, Ubaidullah Khan then invested a lot of money in the construction of Miri-Arab Madrasah for Sheikh Abdullah of Yemen, who was an influential spiritual mentor of the ruler.
Poi-Kalon ensemble (or Po-i-Kalyan Complex) is one of the main architectural structures of Bukhara. The complex is located in the center of the historic part of the city and consists of three buildings built in the 12th-16th centuries: Miri Arab Madrasah, Kalyan Mosque and Kalyan Minaret.
In 1127, the Kalyan Minaret with the height of 46.5 meters was erected by the order of the Karakhanid king Arslan-Khan.
In 1514 by the order of Ubaidullah Khan, the second largest mosque of the country, Kalyan Mosque was built on the site of the destroyed Karakhanid Mosque. The mosque has a rectangular plan, with a spacious inner courtyard. In 1535-1536, Ubaidullah Khan then invested a lot of money in the construction of Miri-Arab Madrasah for Sheikh Abdullah of Yemen, who was an influential spiritual mentor of the ruler.
Poi-Kalon ensemble (or Po-i-Kalyan Complex) is one of the main architectural structures of Bukhara. The complex is located in the center of the historic part of the city and consists of three buildings built in the 12th-16th centuries: Miri Arab Madrasah, Kalyan Mosque and Kalyan Minaret.
In 1127, the Kalyan Minaret with the height of 46.5 meters was erected by the order of the Karakhanid king Arslan-Khan.
In 1514 by the order of Ubaidullah Khan, the second largest mosque of the country, Kalyan Mosque was built on the site of the destroyed Karakhanid Mosque. The mosque has a rectangular plan, with a spacious inner courtyard. In 1535-1536, Ubaidullah Khan then invested a lot of money in the construction of Miri-Arab Madrasah for Sheikh Abdullah of Yemen, who was an influential spiritual mentor of the ruler.
Poi-Kalon ensemble (or Po-i-Kalyan Complex) is one of the main architectural structures of Bukhara. The complex is located in the center of the historic part of the city and consists of three buildings built in the 12th-16th centuries: Miri Arab Madrasah, Kalyan Mosque and Kalyan Minaret.
In 1127, the Kalyan Minaret with the height of 46.5 meters was erected by the order of the Karakhanid king Arslan-Khan.
In 1514 by the order of Ubaidullah Khan, the second largest mosque of the country, Kalyan Mosque was built on the site of the destroyed Karakhanid Mosque. The mosque has a rectangular plan, with a spacious inner courtyard. In 1535-1536, Ubaidullah Khan then invested a lot of money in the construction of Miri-Arab Madrasah for Sheikh Abdullah of Yemen, who was an influential spiritual mentor of the ruler.
Poi-Kalon ensemble (or Po-i-Kalyan Complex) is one of the main architectural structures of Bukhara. The complex is located in the center of the historic part of the city and consists of three buildings built in the 12th-16th centuries: Miri Arab Madrasah, Kalyan Mosque and Kalyan Minaret.
In 1127, the Kalyan Minaret with the height of 46.5 meters was erected by the order of the Karakhanid king Arslan-Khan.
In 1514 by the order of Ubaidullah Khan, the second largest mosque of the country, Kalyan Mosque was built on the site of the destroyed Karakhanid Mosque. The mosque has a rectangular plan, with a spacious inner courtyard. In 1535-1536, Ubaidullah Khan then invested a lot of money in the construction of Miri-Arab Madrasah for Sheikh Abdullah of Yemen, who was an influential spiritual mentor of the ruler.
The Poi Kalyan complex is a great historical reserve for Bukhara and one of the most iconic settings in the city. The complex holds four monuments: the Kalyan Minaret, the Kalyan Mosque, the Mir-i-Arab Madrasa and the Emir Alim Khan Madrasa.
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:2012_Bukhara_7515821196.jpg
Patron: Abdullah Khan (Abdollah Khan Ozbeg) 1533/4–1598, was an Uzbek ruler of the Khanate of Bukhara (1500–1785). He was the last Shaybanid Khan of Bukhara (r.1557-1598), and spent his early years as Governor of Bukhara when the facade of the mosque was completed in 1514 or 1515.
Artist, mihrab tilework: Bayazid Purani.
Patron: Abdullah Khan (Abdollah Khan Ozbeg) 1533/4–1598, was an Uzbek ruler of the Khanate of Bukhara (1500–1785). He was the last Shaybanid Khan of Bukhara (r.1557-1598), and spent his early years as Governor of Bukhara when the facade of the mosque was completed in 1514 or 1515.
