Architecture - Central Asia - page 447

rection of Mecca. Central Asia's largest modern mosque is the Hazret
Sultan Mosque (p102) in Astana, built in 2012.

Medressas
These Islamic colleges, normally two-storeys high, are set around a
cloistered central courtyard, punctuated with aivan (or aiwan; arched
portals) on four sides. Rows of little doors in the interior facades
lead into hujra (cell-like living quarters for students and teachers) or
khanaka (prayer cells or entire buildings) for the ascetic wandering
dervishes who would overnight there.
Most medressas are fronted by monumental portals. On either side
of the entrance you will normally find a darskhana (lecture room) to
the left, and a mosque to the right.
Mausoleums
The mazar (mausoleum) has been popular in Central Asia for millen-
nia, either built by rulers to ensure their own immortality or to com-
memorate holy men. Most mazars consist of a ziaratkhana (prayer
room) , set under a domed cupola. The actual tomb may be housed in a
central hall, or underground in a side gurkhana (tomb). Popular sites
offer lodging, washrooms and even kitchens for visiting pilgrims and
are centred around the tombs of important Sufi saints. Tombs vary
in design from the classic domed cupola style to the pyramid-shaped,
tentlike designs of Konye-Urgench, or even whole streets of tombs as
found at the glorious Shah-i-Zinda in Samarkand.
Minarets
These tall, tapering towers were designed to summon the faithful dur-
ing prayer time, so most have internal stairs for the muezzin to climb.
They were also used as lookouts to spot invaders, and even, in the case
of the Kalon Minaret in Bukhara, as a means of execution. Some mina-
rets (for example at Samarkand's Registan) exist purely for decoration.

each of
uzbekistan's
historic cities has
its own distinct
colour: greens are
most common in
Khorezm, khakis
in Bukhara and
blues in
Samarkand.

ARCHITECTURAL GLOSSARY
aivan covered portico or vaulted portal (also spelt

aivan or iwan)

chorsu market arcade

ghanch carved and painted alabaster decoration

hammam bathhouse

hauz reservoir; artiicial pool

jami masjid Friday mosque

khanaka pilgrim resthouse; prayer cell or hostel for

wandering Suis

Monuments of
Central Asia:
A Guide to the
Archaeology, Art
and Architecture
of Turkestan by
edgar Knobloch
is an excellent
overview of the
region's architec-
tural heritage.

mazar tomb or mausoleum

medressa Islamic college or seminary

mihrab niche in a mosque marking the direction of

Mecca

minor minaret

pishtak monumental entrance portal

qala fortress (also kala )

rabat caravanserai

tak crossroads bazaar (also tok )

tim shopping arcade

ziarat shrine