The most beautiful religious buildings Central Asia

The unusual and asymmetrical appearance of this mosque perched on the hill of Afrosyab immediately draws attention. The iwan at the colonnade and the entrance to cupola date back to 1854. In 1919, the architect Abdukadir Bini Baki added a portal and the minaret. This mosque, dedicated to Elie, the patron saint of travellers and groundwater, was built on the site of another mosque, which was built at the site of one of the oldest holy places in the city, at the time préislamique. It is indeed close to this place that the running water canal of the ancient city of Afrosyab was used, and it is known that the Zoroastrians priests were responsible for irrigation and everything related to water, one of the sacred elements of ancient religion. From the iwan, the view is stunning on the Shah-i-Zinda. But business tourism help, you are now asked 1 500 hospitals for a cliché!

By taking the street from the other side of the central square to the Madrasas Kilichbek, then turning two to the right, you arrive in this small, idyllic area at a small mosque in the late th century. Currently in renovation, it is accompanied by two iwan supported by 7 poles, supporting a prayer room. The woodwork of the iwan are well damaged, but it is an opportunity to see paintings in their state of origin. The court is pierced by a vast basin, and a 11 m minaret, completely rebuilt, dominates the whole. Under the basin would be Juma Masjit, a native of Samarkand, who preached Islam and came to death in Karchi. In addition, two th century tombs decorated with Arab motifs add to the site's obsolescence.

The mosque Kok Kumbaz, built at the end of the th century outside the current town of Karchi by Abdullah Khan II, served for major offices: Ramadan, the pilgrimage to Mecca. The dome, which peaked at 32 m, and the original gate 28 m high were destroyed by the Russians in 1886, and the mosque was closed by the Soviets between 1933 and 1922, during which it served as a warehouse. In 1968, the dome and portal were rebuilt, and the Samarkand workers were involved in the design of 1982. Some last improvements were made in 1996, for 660 years of the birth of Timur. Today is a Friday mosque which regularly hosts the great Muslim celebrations, such as the Hadjj, the great pilgrimage to Mecca last November.

Built at the beginning of the last century, in 1915, this mosque, also closed after the attacks in New York and Washington and transformed into a college, stands out by its immense dome surmounted by the growing Islam. With a diameter of just over 14 m, this dome is among the largest in Central Asia.

By taking over Uichinskaïa street, turn right just before the canal. The Vendredi Mosque in Namangan was closed after the September 11 attacks. We can, however, admire the two minarets encircling its entrance, which differ radically from Uzbek style to remind the mosques of Istanbul…

Built after independence on the site of a 6 000 th century mosque, the Khonakah Mosque can accommodate up to 12 faithful for Friday's great prayer between 13 a. m. and p. m. At the entrance, the two minarets peak at 26 m. Non-Muslims can enter and admire the woodwork and paintings that adorn the mosque, but will be gently lifted during prayer.

Termez Cathedral was built by the Russians in 1896 and preserved its original architecture due to lack of renovation. The outside looks a bit dilapidated, but there is always the world here to welcome the visitor (except on Mondays). Inside, many notable icons and mouldings under the wooden frame.

The Friday mosque of Kokand, one of the most beautiful monuments of the city and the valley, has recently opened to visitors. Built by Omar Khan between 1809 and 1812, his style reprend the style of the mosques to iwan. 98 wooden pillars, a real forest, support a ceiling with painted woodwork of the valley. The total length of the iwan is 100 m. The pole wood, Du, was imported from India. In the middle of the courtyard, the minaret rises to 22 m. Until 2001, the Friday mosque was forbidden to non-Muslims. After the attacks of 11 September, three students suspected of feeding and propagating Wahhabi theses were arrested, then imprisoned, and the mosque closed. The mullah and his followers now pray to the Vendredi À.