Near the welcoming gardens of the houses where, in summer, the silence rings because of the scorching heat, near the craftsmen`s workshops and blocks of new buildings one can see ancient palaces, mausoleums and madrassahs. Guides can talk much about the architectural monuments in Bukhara, describing them in detail, classifying them according to their architectural style. But in Bukhara there is something special, something different from the usual monuments - this is the Chor-Minor Madrassah.

          As one passes along the narrow streets of Bukhara towards the Mazar (cemetery) Gate located east of the city, one can see this colorful building down one of the small alleys. It was constructed by order of the rich merchant, Turkmen Khalif Niyazkul, a traveler, and carpet and horse seller. After visiting India where he saw the majestic Taj-Mahal, he decided to copy this design, asking architects and astronomers to design a building using his drawings, adhering to two conditions: firstly, this madrassah should be located on the Great Silk Road according to the map of the stars. Turkmen who lived in the valleys of Kesh (Karshi) and Jondor, Alata, Karakul and their native land of Turkmenia, travelers on the Great Silk Road, should be able to stay in this building. Secondly, the architectural forms of the madrassah should show his contemporaries throughout the world and future generations that all people are equal, with one sky overhead and one earth underfoot. 
   

         This idea was a great success and the architectural complex, located on the Silk Road, was built - Chartak (darvozakhona) includes four beautiful minarets symbolising the Samanids, Sheibanids, Karakhanids and Mangits. The large dome between the minarets stands between the sky and a single God.

          Unfortunately, the entire complex was not preserved and today only four minarets reach towards the sky from the surrounding houses. Inside, the Chor-Minor, to the right of the entrance, on the white limestone wall, Persian writing giving information pertaining to the date of construction has been preserved -1222 according to Khidjira or 1807 according to modern chronology. According to research, the Chor-Minor Madrassah is distinguished by its compositional symmetry and harmony of architectural proportions. There was a yard in the south of the Madrassah with stables for the famous Turkmen and Karshi karabairs brought here especially for selling. Part of the large garden has been preserved. The area with the hauz (pool) built with stone blocks and the finally built columns of the portal of the summer mosque is a most pleasing sight.

         The four-towered entrance preserved to date is especially majestic, giving the complex its name - Chor-Minor (Four Minarets). A six-sided vestibule opening to the four corners of the world is located on the first floor of Chor-Minor with a square room on the second level from where one could access the minarets.