Great Minaret of the Kalon
Great Minaret of the Kalon
4.5
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4.5
731 reviews
Excellent
552
Very good
158
Average
21
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0
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mel7155
Singapore, Singapore1,344 contributions
Jun 2024 • Couples
The famous monuments in Bukhara certainly looks very grand but are still largely unrestored and rather neglected via-a-vis those found in Samarkand . Hence though the entire ensemble looks grand, they are not refurbished nor are they lovingly restored . In fact a lot of the buildings are in fact taken over by souvenirs shops that if not managed will eventually lead to the deterioration of the sites . Bukhara is more suitable to visit first before busing Samarkand as they show the same type of buildings before the loving restoration and Samarkand is the awe Inspiring restoration of these monuments . If you visit the other way round, it will be underwhelming looking at the Bukhara sites after Samarkand .
Written 14 June 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Beatriz M
Düsseldorf, Germany5,677 contributions
Dec 2022
You must visit it during the day and at night. Really beautiful. I visited with local friend who told me interesting information. There are different legends for example, the legend of the woman who should be thrown out of the tower but she wore many dresses and was able to survive like a parachute. My friend also pointed out at circle formed areas of the tower in lighter color, which according to her relatives were damages done by cannon balls in the past. This information is confirmed online by such passage: The upper part of the Kalyan minaret was damaged during shelling and aerial bombardment of Bukhara by the Red Army in 1920 and as a result was restored.
Written 4 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mrc282
World9,146 contributions
Sept 2024 • Family
the atmosphere around Bukhara is a better representation of Silk Road history
absolutely love its blend of culture, history, religion, and craft, compared to the sanitized, disney-fied Samarkand
i recommend starting your walk from Poyi Kalon square, where this minaret reside
then spend the next few hours exploring the various Toqi (bazaars) - Zargara, Tim Abdullah Khan, Telpakfurushon, in the vicinity, now housed in caravanserais
before ending with lunch at Lyabi House Square, where many excellent restaurants reside
this walk will give you a good sense of how and why Bukhara used to be one of the most important cross roads for Silk Road traders
absolutely love its blend of culture, history, religion, and craft, compared to the sanitized, disney-fied Samarkand
i recommend starting your walk from Poyi Kalon square, where this minaret reside
then spend the next few hours exploring the various Toqi (bazaars) - Zargara, Tim Abdullah Khan, Telpakfurushon, in the vicinity, now housed in caravanserais
before ending with lunch at Lyabi House Square, where many excellent restaurants reside
this walk will give you a good sense of how and why Bukhara used to be one of the most important cross roads for Silk Road traders
Written 15 September 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
fivestarholidays
Chennai (Madras), India1,517 contributions
Oct 2019 • Friends
It is an imposing structure in old town Bukhara. It is beautiful but only to enjoy the sight from outside. Entry is not permitted.
We also visited the centre to see the Minaret in the night with the streets empty. Beautifully lit is was an amazing sight.
We also visited the centre to see the Minaret in the night with the streets empty. Beautifully lit is was an amazing sight.
Written 7 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nancy D
Los Angeles, CA1,645 contributions
Sept 2022 • Friends
It seems odd to review the main sites you come to Bukhara to see. Of course this gem is worth seeing. And so much of it has been restored to its original wonder. I adore the blue tile work.
Written 23 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ana-Maria B
Cluj-Napoca, Romania1,353 contributions
Aug 2022
While it might be a bit crowded, this is THE PLACE in Bukhara. Beautiful architecture and pleasant atmosphere. Definitely come see it at night as well, it is lit and looks beautiful.
Written 11 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
gregsf11
San Francisco, CA837 contributions
Jun 2018 • Solo
So that's one negative. I was all excited too. It used to be open, but The President closed it after all the events with Russia/Syria, etc. What this has to do with Uzbekistan, I don't quite understand. But guides are supportive of the decision. Of course it was the right decision. The President made it.
It's still beautiful in the afternoon glow, however.
At least the current government doesn't throw its opponents off the top anymore like they did under the Emir.
It's still beautiful in the afternoon glow, however.
At least the current government doesn't throw its opponents off the top anymore like they did under the Emir.
Written 18 June 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Oratia_Chris
New Zealand28 contributions
Apr 2018 • Couples
The minaret is impressive but so is its setting on the square. This is a wonderful spot to spent some time admiring the architecture and enjoying the atmosphere. It is easy to walk to from Lyab-i-Hauz in the main street of old Bukhara.
There is no admission charge to enter the square.
There is no admission charge to enter the square.
Written 14 May 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jon
Greenwich, UK19,458 contributions
Apr 2018 • Friends
Tall minaret located on a square between a madrasah and a mosque. Unfortunately it is not possible to go up the minaret due to its age.
Notes: There’s a terrace cafe-bar at the opposite end of the square to the minaret with a roof-top area that’s good for an elevated photo. In the alleyway look for the Coca-Cola hanging sign and horse-shoes built into entrance door. Coca-Cola 8,000SUM, lager 15,000SUM.
Notes: There’s a terrace cafe-bar at the opposite end of the square to the minaret with a roof-top area that’s good for an elevated photo. In the alleyway look for the Coca-Cola hanging sign and horse-shoes built into entrance door. Coca-Cola 8,000SUM, lager 15,000SUM.
Written 10 April 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nirav D
Mumbai, India279 contributions
Dec 2017
The minaret, designed by Bako, was built by the Qarakhanid ruler Mohammad Arslan Khan in 1127 to summon Muslims to prayer five times a day. This tower so impressed Genghis Khan that he ordered it to be spared when all around was destroyed by his men.[3] It is also known as the Tower of Death, because until as recently as the early twentieth century criminals were executed by being thrown from the top.
Written 16 December 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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