The architectural complex Poi Kalan is situated in the very center of Bukhara. Built within the 12-16th century, the monument is easily noticeable as its main element, the Kalan minaret, towers above the city by almost 50m and is visible practically from any spot in Bukhara. According to some sources, in the old times it was used as a landmark for caravans travelling across the desert around Bukhara. The Poi- Kalan ensemble which signifies “pedestal of the Most High” consists of 4 monuments: the Kalan Mosque and the Mir-i-Arab Madrasah which are facing each other with main fronts, the Kalan minaret, and to the south of Miri-Arab is the small Amir- Allimkhan Madrasah.
The Kalan Mosque was built in 1514 under the reign of Abdullah Khan and is one of the biggest and oldest of all central Asia. The mosque’s courtyard has four iwans and is surrounded by a gallery of 208 columns supporting 288 domes. These numbers are not random and match the amount of gold in the edifice. The imposing Kalan minaret constructed entirely out of baked bricks of more than 48 meters high dominates Bukhara and offers the most beautiful view on the city and its surroundings.
As for the Madrasah, it remains nowadays one of the most prestigious education establishments of central Asia and many students are still pursuing their studies within the magnificent complex. The structure of the building with its imposing façade adorned by exceptional mosaics with geometric patterns, epigraphic arabesques offer a spectacular view of the most stunning architecture.
