Mir-i-Arab Medressa, Bukhara
Mir-i-Arab Medressa from the Kalon Minaret. Photo by Miles Hunter.
Fish-eye view of Mir-i-Arab Medressa. Photo by Miles Hunter.
The blue-tiled facade of the medressa. Photo by Ben Paarman.
Another view of the facade, later in the day. Photo by Amauri Aguiar.
One of two luminous blue domes. Photo by Henrik Moltke.
The Mir-i-Arab Medressa stands opposite the Kalon Mosque in the historic center of Bukhara. Founded in the 16th century, the Islamic school features two distinctive blue domes and other tilework.
History
The medressa's namesake, Mir-i-Arab, was a 16th-century Naqshbandi sheikh from Yemen. He had a powerful influence on the Shaybanid ruler Ubaidullah Khan and also financed the original complex.
Mir-i-Arab Medressa was a working Islamic seminary from the 16th century until it was closed in 1920. It was reponed by Stalin in 1944 in an effort to gain Muslim favor for his war effort.
What to See
The medressa is off-limits to tourists, but its facade can be enjoyed from Kalon Square. An especially fine view of the Mir-i-Arab can be had from the top of the adjacent Kalon Minaret.
The two luminous blue domes of the medressa are beautifully tiled and stand out against the mostly brown architecture around it. The tombs of Sheikh Mir-i-Arab and Ubaidullah Khan are beneath the northern dome.
Quick Facts
| Names: | Mir-i-Arab Medressa; Mir-i-Arab Medressah |
| Type of site: | Medressa (madrasa, Islamic religious school) |
| Dates: | 16th century |
| Location: | Kalon Square, Bukhara, Uzbekistan |
| Hours: | Not open to visitors. |
Map
Location map and satellite view of the Mir-i-Arab Medressa (center marker, with its two domes visible on the left). Using the buttons on the left, zoom in for a closer look or zoom out to get your bearings. Click and drag the map to move around. For a larger view, see our Bukhara Map or Google Earth download.
Sources
- Historic Centre of Bukhara - UNESCO World Heritage List
- 360° Panography of Kalon Square - World Heritage Tour
