More than 400 years ago, two amazing buildings appeared, two mosques - Baland and Khoja Zainiddin - characteristic representatives of innovative ideas in the architecture of Bukhara during the times of Alisher Navoi and the beginning of the formation of the Uzbek Khanate. At that time, during the period of rapid development of the Sufi religious movement, dervishes wandering through the eastern lands found shelter within these walls. Also, religious events and prayer gatherings took place in this place.

The meaning of the name of the Baland Mosque is “Height”. This is due to the constructive idea of the mosque’s base; it is quite voluminous and high located. The main structure is based on a cube with a wide suspended ceiling and a canopy-aivan resting on carved wooden columns.

The interior decoration of the mosque and its vestments evoke great admiration. The architects turned here to traditional oriental solutions. Here, various panels alternate above the panel wall, followed by a frieze. The main panel of the Baland Mosque is made of many rectangular frames, which are decorated with elegant alternating mosaics. For example, a lancet-shaped panel is filled with either painted flowers or letters above the frame.

The ornament clearly shows the repetition of the pattern, traditional for the East, rhythmically dividing the panels. The ceiling of the mosque is wooden, in the center of it is a star-shaped figure. Thanks to its elegance and combination of colors in its design, the mosque became famous among Eastern architects, who later tried to repeat this more than once in their creations throughout Central Asia.

Until the middle of the 16th century, the Khoja Zainiddin Mosque was built. The man after whom the mosque is named was a highly respected religious figure. His spirit found eternal rest in a grave within the walls of the mosque.

The building was the first to be built in the urban monumental style, just at the time when construction moved into a more laconic direction, with the planning of streets, roads and intersections. The mosque blends harmoniously with the residential area. The ivan is located in the shade. Nearby there is a house, traditional for such places, a swimming pool with drinking water, which in the hot season also serves as a microclimate, humidifying the air. Once inside the mosque, visitors could plunge into wealth and luxury. The building itself is decorated with beautiful ornaments. An interesting solution in the structure of the interior space is a smooth transition from a flat square to a dome through arched openings in the corners. Outwardly, it looks like a bowl that hovers over the heads of parishioners.

The blue-green tones of the coating give the attraction a magical look. Here you can also find the architecture of the feudal era, which includes iwans that are adjacent to the main domed room of the mosque. Even today, the bright color palette of the interior of the Khoja Zainiddin Mosque leaves a deep impression.

The Canaan Travel team invites all travelers to sunny Uzbekistan, where everyone can find rest for their body in comfortable hotels and delight for the eyes on the historical streets of Peri-Bukhara.