The Jami Mosque is located within the walls of the Ark Citadel in Bukhara. The fortress standing on a hill was repeatedly destroyed during wars and uprisings but was always rebuilt again as a symbol of the stability of the ruler and his power. In the 1920s, the fortress was severely damaged during the bombing, but the Jami Mosque with the main entrance and some other buildings located in its territory have survived. That was a palatial mosque: Friday prayers were held there for the emir, his relatives and assistants.
The landmark was built in the first half of the 18th century, when emir Subkhankulikhan ruled Bukhara, and was preserved rather well. Architecturally, it was designed as a cathedral mosque and so it has all its characteristic features. There were a winter garden and iwan supported by four pillars decorated with a wonderful ornament combining geometric shapes and plant patterns. The ceiling also attracts attention with its sophisticated design notable for numerous multi-colored elements and decorative inserts.
Guests enter the mosque through one of eight entrance doors; the interior resembles similar constructions built in the 19th century and in the early 20th century, which indicates that the mosque was renovated and that when decorating the rooms, masters used design elements typical for the decoration in those times. In the beginning of the 20th century — during the period from 1910 to 1920 — another renovation of the mosque brought about some changes in its design. Usta Shirin Muradov, the famous artist, join the works; he mainly dealt with ganch and plaster carving.
Today, the mosque houses the Bukhara State Architectural Art Museum. It exhibits the items made during the period from the 18th to the 20th century and manuscripts created in the 12th century and later. Among the sacred scriptures presented here, it is worth paying attention to the hand-written Quran in Farsi.
The site near the mosque was also given to the museum as an architectural reserve.
The team of Canaan Travel invites visitors from around the globe to get acquainted with the attraction and with the unique manuscripts and artefacts exhibited in the museum. Bukhara opens its doors to all residents and guests of Uzbekistan and invites you to experience unforgettable times and to visit fantastic East. There are cozy hotels for your rest, special cuisine for your pleasure and unique places for your leisure — no one will feel bored in this ancient city.