Char Minar

Tucked into a residential lane of old Bukhara, this small but distinctive gatehouse once served as the entrance to a now-vanished madrasa built in the early nineteenth century. Its name means 'four minarets', referring to the four squat towers, each capped with a blue-tiled dome, that rise from the corners of a compact brick block. Each tower is said to differ subtly in its decoration, and legends attach various meanings to them. Charming and unusual, it has become a beloved landmark and a favourite subject for photographers.