The Bolo-Khauz Mosque, which rose to the turquoise sky of the beautiful Bukhara on Registan Square at the beginning of the 18th century on the orders of the ruler of this city, Sukhan Kulikhan from the Ashtarkhanid dynasty, once saw its reflection in the clear waters of the Hauz next to it. And she froze motionless, contemplating her beautiful face in the surface of the water, as if in a mirror.
The people living on this land gave the masterpiece of architecture a second name - Chil Sutun, which translates as “Mosque of Forty Columns”. Travelers from different countries of the world, who come to see the sights of the pearl of the East, stand for a long time near this architectural monument and try to unravel the mystery of its second name. The solution is much simpler than it might seem - 20 columns 11 meters high of the Friday mosque are reflected in the reservoir, and therefore it seems that there are twice as many of them.
Made by the best craftsmen of past centuries from elm wood, common in this place, these columns are to this day a genuine decoration of the main entrance of Bolo Hauz and the ivan located here. Its traditional wooden ceiling, supported by graceful columns, is covered with wonderful carved flowers and geometric patterns, where each curl preserves the wisdom of the people, their aspirations and faith in the best. The three sides of this ivan - like centuries ago - represent a summer mosque, surrounding the entrance to the winter mosque on three sides.
The emir ruling these lands and ordinary residents of the blessed land once raised their prayers to the Almighty here. The preachers of Islam, the dervishes, who wandered around the world in search of truth, found shelter and rest in this sacred place. Their refuge was a two-story building erected on the territory of the mosque, popularly called a khanaka.
To this day, guests of the sorceress of Bukhara cannot take their eyes off the minaret located on the territory of Bolo Hauz - another monument of past centuries, whose history is inextricably linked with the history of this fabulously beautiful place. Two centuries ago, Azanchi called righteous Muslims to prayer from its height. The minaret, which means “candle” in Farsi, illuminated not only the spiritual path of those praying - in the sea of hot sands of Bukhara, it truly was a beacon for travelers.
The Canaan Travel team is ready to become a guide for residents and guests of Uzbekistan into the world of beautiful architectural monuments of ancient Bukhara and shed light on the history of true architectural pearls, one of which is the Bolo House complex.