Bukhara - Lyabi-Khauz

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Historical monuments

Lyabi-Khauz

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The Lyabi-khauz is considered to be the center of the Old City. Plaza Lyabi-khauz is derived from Persian and means “ensemble near the pool”. The main element of this ensemble is the pool.

According to a legend, the ruler, Imam Kulikhan, couldn’t begin the construction he had planed because the house of a lonely widow, who refused to leave, occupied the area. And, the ruler decided to build a canal under her house. However, when water began to wash the walls of the woman’s house she was obliged to leave and the construction was completed as the ruler desired.

Ensemble Lyabi-khauz is comprised of three monumental structures. These are:

Kukeldash madrassah (16^th century) built by Abdullah II was, at the time, the biggest Islamic School in Central Asia.
Nadir Devanbegi Madrassah (16^th century) was inteded to be a caravan saray, but according to the order of the ruler Imam Kulimkhan, was reconstructed into a Madrassah.
Nadir Devanbegi Khanaka (winter mosque) was built at the same time as the Lyabi-khauz (16^th century).

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