The Most Beautiful Mosques in Uzbekistan

The Uzbekistan is the soul of Central Asia and it is the country which is a perfect combination of the old and the new. With turquoise domes, elaborate minarets and huge courtyards its skyline is hinting about centuries-old Islamic roots. The Mosques in Uzbekistan cannot simply be described as places of worship, they are living monuments which remind about the majesty of the Timurid Empire, the colorful heritage of the Silk Road, and the culture of spiritual worship which influenced the culture of this region. Every mosque gives a different account of the historic city of Samarkand to the eternal streets of Bukhara and Khiva, each imbues a visitor with the desire to go back in time and experience the art and the spiritual that constitute Uzbekistan.

Travelers visiting the UAE can now visit these architectural masterpieces with ease with Uzbekistan Tour Packages by Go Kite Travel based in Dubai. With these packages, you can have a journey through the centuries of Islamic art and culture besides enjoying the warm hospitality, tasty food, and the cities of Uzbekistan as the World Heritage in the UNESCO. The Mosques in Uzbekistan will spell-bound whichever your taste is in history, architecture or a spiritual traveler due to their beauty, calmness, and detailed architectures.

Here are The Most Beautiful Mosques in Uzbekistan

1. Bibi-Khanym Mosque- The Samarkand Pride

The Bibi-Khanym Mosque of Samarkand is one of the most recognizable mosques in Uzbekistan, which is an architectural masterpiece constructed by Amir Timur (Tamerlane) in the 14 th century. It is still an object of power, worship, and beauty, something that was thought of as one of the biggest and the most beautiful mosques in the Islamic world.

The mosque was built to dedicate it to the adorable wife of Timur, Bibi-Khanym. The weighty entrance, its enormous domes, and fine tilework is the climax of Timurid architecture. The glorious minarets and a large court which could fit more than 10,000 worshippers describe the glory of the empire. The Quran in the courtyard, which is carved out of one piece of marble still attracts visitors in search of blessings.

A trip to Bibi-Khanym is a compulsion to anyone who has an interest in Islamic architecture. The blue mosaics are so fragile and reflect the sun that they produce a relaxing atmosphere that is reminiscent of the spiritual traditions of Samarkand.

2. Minor Mosque -The Tashkent Modern Jewel

One of the latest but the best Mosques in Uzbekistan is the Minor Mosque. It is situated right in the center of Tashkent and it was opened in 2014 and has since then gained popularity among both the locals and tourists. The mosque is a beautiful amalgamation of the traditional Uzbek and the Islamic architecture in spite of the fact that it was constructed in a modern way.

It is an oasis of peace in the busy capital and its white marble facade is bordered by fertile gardens and the smooth flow of the calm river Ankhor. The turquoise roof of the mosque, the well-adorned minarets and the well-adorned interior walls painted with stunning calligraphy give one a strong spiritual feel.

When you are traveling with Go Kite Travel on one of their Uzbekistan Tour Packages out of Dubai, one of the most relaxing ways to start your trip in the country is to visit the Minor Mosque, and this will give you the spiritual pulse of the contemporary Uzbekistan.

3. Kalyan Mosque -The Faith of Bukhara

The Kalyan Mosque in the ancient city of Bukhara proudly stands next to a high Kalyan Minaret, which is one of the most identifiable objects in the Central Asia. Since the 16 th century, this mosque has served as an Islamic learning and prayer center.

The design of Kalyan Mosque is an ideal illustration of the Bukhara craftsmanship tradition where there are 288 domes, ornate blue tiles and a large courtyard able to accommodate thousands of worshippers at a time. Even though it is centuries old, it still serves as an active mosque and it preserves its spiritual power and significance in the lives of locals.

Kalyan Mosque will present a very real experience to visitors who visit the Mosques in Uzbekistan, its history, religion, and community are still living in harmony.

4. The Spiritual center of Hazrat Imam Complex Tashkent

Hazrat Imam Complex (Hast Imam) is a major religious place and one of the most popular Mosques in Uzbekistan. It is located in the ancient quarter of Tashkent, which contains some historic buildings such as the Tillya Sheikh Mosque, Barak Khan Madrasa and the Muyi Mubarak Library.

The complex is also known by the fact that it houses one of the greatest relics in Islam, the Uthman Quran which is said to be the oldest known Quran in the world. Its structure is a mirror of the traditional Uzbek artisanship and is covered with glazed blue domes, patterned brick building, and peaceful courtyards.

By visiting the Hazrat Imam Complex, tourists are given an opportunity to observe the rich history of Islam in the Uzbekistan and its preservation of the sacred traditions.

5. Juma Mosque – The Soul of Khiva

One of the most peculiar Mosques in Uzbekistan is the Juma Mosque located in Khiva, which is listed in the UNESCO. Constructed in the 10 th century with a subsequent renovation in the 18 th, is of unbelievable design; a large wooden hall that has more than 200 carved wooden columns to support it.

In comparison to open courtyards that are characteristic of other mosques, the closed prayer hall of Juma Mosque establishes a peaceful and meditative atmosphere. The columns made of wood, some of which are more than 900 years old, are sculpted with a combination of floral and geometric patterns - a real masterpiece of ancient Uzbek masters.

The Juma Mosque is the best example of the architectural peculiarities of Khiva and the powerful feeling of harmony and thought.

6. The Magoki-Attori Mosque- the Ancient treasure of Bukhara

One of the oldest Mosques still in existence in Uzbekistan can be found in Magoki-Attori and was built in 9th century. It is intriguing because it has a complex history and a construction has been situated on a place where there was a temple of Zoroastrian and subsequently a Buddhist temple.

The mosque is a monument of the Uzbekistan becoming Islamic and accepting the influence of other cultures. Its complex exterior, with carved bricks patterns and a high level of ornamentation, displays the ancient art of Bukhara.

Today, Magoki-Attori is a historical monument as well as an operating mosque and provides the visitors with a unique insight into how the religious architecture of Central Asia evolved.

7. Tillya-Kori Mosque -The Golden Mosque of Samarkand

One of the most magnificent Mosques in Uzbekistan is the Tillya-Kori Mosque in the complex of Registan at Samarkand. It was constructed in the 17 th century and its name means Gilded or Gold-Coated and it really is.

The interior of the mosque is glowing with elaborate decorations of gold leaf on its walls and dome to provide it with a grandiose appearance. It was also in the mosque that a madrasa (Islamic school) was located, thus an essential place of worship and learning in the Timurid period.

With its golden dome and blue tiles adorning the walls, the visitors can experience the greatness and religious glory which once characterised the most known city of the Silk Road.

8. Poi-Kalyan Ensemble the Eternal Landmark of Bukhara

This is a part of the larger Poi-Kalyan complex, and one of the most significant religious hubs of all the Mosques in the Uzbekistan. The location encompasses the Kalyan Minaret, the Mir-i-Arab Madrasa and the Kalyan Mosque - that constitute the spiritual hub of Bukhara.

The complex is also lit in the night turning it into an marvelous display of Islamic architecture. This ensemble is a dream to a photographer and spiritual retreat to believers because of the symmetry, the domes of blue color, and the expansive open spaces.

9. Khoja Zaynuddin Mosque the Bukhara Secret Gem

The Khoja Zaynuddin Mosque is a little-known gem in the Mosques of Uzbekistan and it is found deep down the maze-like alleys of Bukhara. This is much smaller than the size of a bigger mosque and it makes it intimate, peaceful and spiritually purified.

It has beautiful wooden ceilings, finely adorned stucco, and a peaceful pond that makes the blue sky look as though it was a mirror to the nature and faith. It is one of the most serene mosques because locals usually visit it to pray and meditate in tranquility.

10. Mosque of Islam Khoja Khiva Towering Beauty

Another thing to see in the skyline of Khiva is the Islam Khoja Mosque that was constructed in the early 20 th century. It has a tall and slender minaret, which is the tallest in the city with panoramic views of the old Itchan Kala fortress.

The mosque itself is covered with the colourful ceramic tiles and the Khorezoism traditional patterns. It is the ideal combination of the craft of ancient and early modern Islamic architecture. The process of visiting this mosque makes the travelers feel the continuity of faith and art in the history of Uzbekistan.

Religious Experience and Miscellaneous Values

Visiting the Mosques of Uzbekistan is not solely the architecture that one will be in awe of; it is a visit to the heart of the Central Asia. These mosques symbolize many centuries of faith, art and education that formed Islamic civilization along the Silk Road. During the construction of the domes, arches, and tiles, the narratives of the scholars, poets and emperors who used to pray and teach in these walls are told.

All the mosques in Uzbekistan (old and new) bear a distinctive attribute of the combination of the Persian, Mongol and Turkic styles - a characteristic of the multicultural nature of the region. Visitors to Uzbekistan can be taken on a spiritual, historical and adventure package through an Uzbekistan Tour Package, Dubai, of Go Kite Travel that would tie the three elements together in one memorable journey.

Conclusion

Not only do the Mosques in Uzbekistan provide an amazing masterpiece of art but they also provide a spiritual resting place where the spirit and the history of the Central Asia can be found. Since the grandeur of the golden domes of Samarkand to the calm wood pillars at Khiva, every mosque presents a different experience of the rich Islamic history of the country. The visit to these religious places will enable tourists to enjoy the level of dedication and fine artisanship that thrived over the Silk Road over the centuries.

Go Kite Travel has come up with unique tour packages to Uzbekistan which are available in Dubai and thus, make it easy and unforgettable to discover these treasures. The Mosques of Uzbekistan be it in terms of history, architecture, or religion will ensure that the experience will stay in the heart of the soul and have you feeling inspired even after you visit them.