Kosh Madrasah
Kosh Madrasah in Bukhara, Uzbekistan
Kosh Madrasah is located in the historic center of Bukhara, in the western part of the old city. It is an ensemble of two madrasahs placed opposite each other on both sides of the street. This arrangement in Central Asian architecture is called "kosh" and was used to create a unified urban composition.
The complex includes the Modari Khan Madrasah and the Abdullah Khan Madrasah, built in the second half of the 16th century during the Shaybanid period. The Modari Khan Madrasah was built by order of Abdullah Khan II in honor of his mother, and later the larger Abdullah Khan Madrasah appeared opposite it. Both buildings are connected not only by a shared concept but also by the common space between their facades, which reveals their architecture particularly well.
The complex is notable for its combination of strict planning and rich decorative design. On the facades, visitors can see majolica, geometric ornamentation, mosaic inserts, and inscriptions characteristic of Bukhara. Particularly striking is the contrast between the forms of the buildings: one of the madrasahs has a trapezoidal plan, which is related to the dense historic development of this area.
For tourists, Kosh Madrasah is of interest both as a 16th-century architectural monument and as part of the urban environment of old Bukhara, where the principles of historic planning can still be clearly seen. People come here to examine the decoration of the portals, experience the scale of the ensemble, and include it in a walk among the main monuments of central Bukhara.
Kosh Madrasah on the map
Bukhara, Old City of Bukhara: Architectural and historical complexes
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Kosh Madrasah and two 16th-century madrasahs in old Bukhara
The ensemble shows how educational complexes were built in the historic city center.
Two 16th-century madrasahs in a unified urban composition
When exploring the complex, it is worth paying attention to how the buildings interact with each other through the open space between them. The main portals face one another, making the facades easy to view from different points. This is where the proportions of the iwans, the brickwork, the ceramic decor, and the epigraphic elements characteristic of Bukhara madrasahs of that time are best seen.
The inner courtyards and hujras make it possible to imagine how traditional educational institutions of Central Asia were arranged. Even if some of the rooms are not accessible for detailed viewing, walking around the exterior provides a good understanding of the layout and the differences between the two structures. The Modari Khan Madrasah appears more restrained in composition, while the Abdullah Khan Madrasah is usually noted for the more complex and ornate decoration of its facade.
Kosh Madrasah is easy to include in a walking route through the historic center of Bukhara. Other well-known monuments of the old city are located nearby, including the Poi Kalyan complex and the trading domes, so a visit can easily be combined with a walk through the neighboring streets and squares.
The easiest way to get here is on foot from the center of Bukhara, as the ensemble is located within the old city and is usually included in the main tourist routes through the historic area.
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