LAST BUKHARA DAY - CHAR MINOR AND XO'JA TABBAND JOM`E MASJIDI


After a very good breakfast, it's a mile walk to Char Minor, built  in 1807, is a four-towered historic gatehouse for a now-destroyed madrassa.  The name means  four minarets but the towers were used for storage, the 4th has a staircase leading to the top floor. All are topped by domes covered by blue ceramic tiles, with different deco rational motifs. Some say that elements of decoration reflect the four religions known to Central Asians (elements reminiscent of a cross, a Christian fish motif, and a Buddhist praying-wheel, in addition to Zoroastrian and Islamic motifs).  Small but stunnng.

 


  
Going inside, you can climb steps to the roof for a close-up and personal with the towers




 





 The streets back towards our rooftop cafe are narrow


 but it's worth it for cake to see us through...










Our chosen restaurant is full but our hotel's room-service is excellent: borscht with dark garlicky bread, chicken noodle soup, excellent lamb stew, beef ribs and vegetables.  


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