Kalon Minaret

The Kalon Minaret rises from the centre of Bukhara at a height of forty-five metres, making it the tallest structure in the city and one of the most elegant towers in the Islamic world. It was built in 1127 by the architect Ojak of the Seljuk tradition, and the commissioning patron was theammu of Bukhara, Qutb al-Din Aibak. The minaret was originally designed to serve as a call to prayer and as a beacon that could be seen from the surrounding desert, guiding caravans approaching the city along the Silk Road. The shaft is covered in brickwork arranged in geometric patterns that spiral upward in a subtle helix, each band slightly different from the last, and the whole is crowned by a lantern gallery with a small dome. The building survived the Mongol conquest of Bukhara in 1220, when Genghis Khan reportedly ordered the destruction of many religious structures but spared the minaret, possibly because of its utilitarian value to travellers.

The minaret forms the focal point of the Po-i-Kalyan ensemble, which includes the Kalyan Mosque and the Mir-i-Arab Madrasa. Together these three structures create one of the most impressive monumental groupings in Central Asia, all built over a period of roughly three hundred years and all displaying supreme mastery of brick and tile. From the top of the minaret there are panoramic views over the domes and minarets of Bukhara, a city of over a hundred historic monuments spread across a compact historic centre that is itself a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Kalon Minaret is sometimes called the Tower of Death, because condemned prisoners were once thrown from its summit as a method of execution, a grim practice that ended in the nineteenth century and adds a dark layer to the building long history. The name Kalon is derived from the Persian word for great, and the structure has become the defining symbol of Bukhara, appearing on the city coat of arms and on the national currency. The minaret was an important reference point for the urban planning of Bukhara, and many of the historic streets and bazaars radiate from it as from a central axis. The brickwork bands are particularly striking in the late afternoon, when the low sun draws out the relief of the geometric patterns and makes the tower appear to shimmer. Visitors can climb the internal staircase to the lantern gallery on most days, though access may be restricted during religious holidays.

The Kalon Minaret is a 45-metre tower built in 1127 in Bukhara, Uzbekistan. It served as a call to prayer and a Silk Road beacon, and is the focal point of the Po-i-Kalyan ensemble.