Bolo-Khaouz Mosque, Bukhara
The Bolo-Khaouz Mosque is a significant historical mosque located in Bukhara. Constructed in 1712, it holds great cultural and architectural value and is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, along with other parts of the historic city of Bukhara. The mosque played a crucial role as a Friday mosque during the period when the emir of Bukhara was under the control of Bolshevik Russia in the 1920s.
The mosque features a rectangular shape and is characterized by its distinctive elements. In 1917, thin columns made of painted wood were added to the front part of the iwan (entrance) to provide additional support to the bulged roof of the summer prayer room. These columns are adorned with colored muqarnas, showcasing intricate geometric designs. The interior of the mosque follows the typical 18th-century Central Asian style, reflecting the artistic and architectural influences of the region.
The Bolo-Khaouz Mosque comprises two main prayer areas. During the winter season, worshippers gather in a room with four columns and several entrances. The summer prayer room, known as the iwan, stands 12 meters high and features a 20-pillared hall measuring 42 x 10 meters. This impressive space is bordered by bulged roofs sustained with twenty wooden columns, which rest on a concrete foundation. The iwan serves as a place of prayer during the summer months and is attached to three sides of the winter hall.
In front of the mosque, there is a howz, a traditional rectangular pool used for ritual ablutions before prayer. This howz enhances the spiritual ambiance of the mosque and adds to its overall architectural charm. Additionally, a small minaret, built in 1917, stands to the side of the mosque, further contributing to the visual appeal of the complex.
The mosque features a rectangular shape and is characterized by its distinctive elements. In 1917, thin columns made of painted wood were added to the front part of the iwan (entrance) to provide additional support to the bulged roof of the summer prayer room. These columns are adorned with colored muqarnas, showcasing intricate geometric designs. The interior of the mosque follows the typical 18th-century Central Asian style, reflecting the artistic and architectural influences of the region.
The Bolo-Khaouz Mosque comprises two main prayer areas. During the winter season, worshippers gather in a room with four columns and several entrances. The summer prayer room, known as the iwan, stands 12 meters high and features a 20-pillared hall measuring 42 x 10 meters. This impressive space is bordered by bulged roofs sustained with twenty wooden columns, which rest on a concrete foundation. The iwan serves as a place of prayer during the summer months and is attached to three sides of the winter hall.
In front of the mosque, there is a howz, a traditional rectangular pool used for ritual ablutions before prayer. This howz enhances the spiritual ambiance of the mosque and adds to its overall architectural charm. Additionally, a small minaret, built in 1917, stands to the side of the mosque, further contributing to the visual appeal of the complex.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Bukhara. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Bolo-Khaouz Mosque on Map
Sight Name: Bolo-Khaouz Mosque
Sight Location: Bukhara, Uzbekistan (See walking tours in Bukhara)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Bukhara, Uzbekistan (See walking tours in Bukhara)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Bukhara, Uzbekistan
Create Your Own Walk in Bukhara
Creating your own self-guided walk in Bukhara is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Bukhara Introduction Walking Tour
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Centuries on, the pearl of modern-day Uzbekistan, Bukhara, is still very much the place capable of leaving a... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.4 Km or 2.1 Miles
Centuries on, the pearl of modern-day Uzbekistan, Bukhara, is still very much the place capable of leaving a... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.4 Km or 2.1 Miles
Bukhara Shopping Tour
Bukhara, “a jewel of the Silk Road”, has been a commercial city since ancient times. Shopping here can still be a memorable experience for those keen to immerse themselves in the vibrant atmosphere of Central Asian trade.
Bazaars are the heartbeats of Bukhara. Historically, these domed venues were located at crossroads, to facilitate passing commerce, and dealt in a variety of goods. There,... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 0.6 Km or 0.4 Miles
Bazaars are the heartbeats of Bukhara. Historically, these domed venues were located at crossroads, to facilitate passing commerce, and dealt in a variety of goods. There,... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 0.6 Km or 0.4 Miles