Practise day 6 /30.05.2022

Sitorai Mohi-Hosa Palace

Sitorai Mohi-Hosa Palace is a countryside residence of Bukhara emirs. It is located 4 km to the north of Bukhara and belonged to the last governing emir of Bukhara Said Alimkhan (1911-1920). The name of the palace means "stars meet the moon". Built in 1911 for the last emir, Alim Khan, the three-building compound incorporates elements of both Russian and traditional Bukharan architecture.

Who was the Sitorai Mohi-Hosa?

His father was Khoja Mir Abdullah, who lived during the reign of Abdulaziz Khan (1645-1681) and Subhanqulikhan (1681-1702). After the death of Ubaydullah in 1711, Abulfayzkhan, about 10 years old, ascended the throne of the Bukhara khanate. He was the son of Sitorai Mohi Hossa, the last ruler of the Ashtarkhanid dynasty.

"Zamon Bilqisi" Sitorai Mohi Xossa was the wife of Mrs. Subhanqulikhan, from whom were born the last rulers of the Ashtarkhanids - Ubaydullah and Abulfayzkhan. It is noteworthy that Sadri Ziyo (1865-1932) gave the following information about the construction of the Boloyi swimming pool complex: It was built by Bibi Oyposhsha (Sitorai Mohi Xossa - A.Z.), the daughter of Mir Abdullahoja, the wife of Subhanqulikhan, the mother of the khan martyr (Abulfayzkhan - A.Z.) ”(Tarihi asori atiqa).

Now the main question is why Amir Alimkhan's summer palace (Sitorai Mohi Xossa) and Boloyi Hovuz Madrasah are called by the same name. First of all, Amir Abdullah, the owner of Sitorai Mohi Hossa Palace, is the seventh generation of the queen of this world of enlightenment, and Amir Alimkhan is the eighth generation.

He was a descendant of Amir Alimkhan (1910-1920) ibn Amir Abdullah (1885-1910) ibn Amir Muzaffar (1860-1885) ibn Amir Nasrullo (1827-1860) ibn Amir Haydar (1800-1826) ibn Shamsiyabonu binti Abdumominkhan ibn Abulfayzkhan ibn In the form of Oyposhsho bibi (Sitorai Mohi), Sitorai Mohi connects with Ms. Hossa. This means that Amir Alimkhan named his summer palace after the enlightened grandmother of the past. This is also evidenced by the fact that some of the ceremonies associated with the life of the rulers of the 19th century Mangit were held in the Boloi pool.

There is a reason why the name of the older Sitorai Mohi Hossa Madrasah has been forgotten. At that time, the place was better known by its second name, the Upper Pool. The name was later overshadowed by Sitorai Mohi Hossa.

There are many women in Bukhara who, like Sitorai Mohi Xossa, have done exemplary work for the prosperity of the people and the country. Each of them is a unique fragrance of the nation's heart, an ornament of the country's past

Construction

It was under construction for two decades, beginning from the end of the 19th century. Firstly, the group of local architects headed by Usto Hodja Hafiz had built a magnificent object which combined local Bukhara and European traditions. The main structure of this palace is granted to the throne hall. Under its arks the public meetings of the elite authorities used to be held.

Grand historical value is attributed to the new palace which is built near the old one and includes few building complexes. The new palace complex Sitorai Mohi-Hosa had already been built during the life of emir Alim-khan. It used to include the main entrance ark with mosaic ornament of various tones and colors, inner yard with galleries, main portal designed in east-European style with the flowers planted in front of the swimming-pool and the emir harem premise in the garden. By the entrance to the portal there are two marble lions made by nuratin masters. Also the architects had created marble reservoirs in the shape of fictional dragon.

The main building of the palace which includes several rooms and personal premises of emir had been constructed mainly under the supervision of Russian engineers and only "The White Hall" and its corridor built in 1912-1914, belong to the art style of Bukhara architects. These halls are the masterpieces of ornamental decoration. "The White Hall" had received its name from the shiny-white construction materials used during the creation) process to cover the walls and the ceiling. The mirrors built in the wall in the shape of a panel constitute only the font for the decorative ornaments. After destroying the palace in 1920 as it was decided by Bukhara emirate, Sitorai Mohi-Hosa was the session place for the new government, supreme state body of the National Republic of Bukhara (1920-1924), the united national assembly.

The inner courtyard was the location for the First Congress of the Bukharan Soviet in 1920 and now houses the slightly dusty Museum of Applied Arts, replete with the contents of the emir's bed chamber. Far more interesting, however, are the rooms that surround the courtyard: the emir's bedroom, games room, the mirrored White Hall, and a banqueting hall. There are two other museums in the complex, the Museum of Costume and the Museum of Needlework, both of which are worth 20 minutes or so of your time. Check out the paranja, a heavy and itchy horse-hair robe akin to a burqa that would have been worn by high-class womenfolk, and also the wedding robes. A 1928 photograph shows the emir's unveiled concubines and, having taken a sneaky look, you should head next door to the harem, where the emir would have had his pick of the frolicking flesh on show.

The corner of Eden on the Earth

Many people who visit this place call it as fairy Paradise. And it is true, because in this blessed gardens you could see numerous peacocks or the birds of Eden. They are walking about garden paths, dispiritedly staring at their dry thin feet. According to the legends, these birds were excluded from Paradise and as punishment have received extremely horrible voice. This place called Sitorai Mohi Hosa that located in the Pearl of Uzbekistan – Bukhara.

Until now, they are walking about summer palace of Bukhara Emir. And here guides insistently advise every visitor to feed these royal birds, because they aren't even afraid of people. And they accurately take small pieces of bread out of hands.

This is a historical place that was bought out by great ruler Ismail Samani from the Arabian conquerors. And that time referred to beginning of the Samanid Dynasty's governing. However, there were gardens and before Samanids. These flower gardens existed exactly in the place a dozen years ago.And all love this unique place for unequalled microclimate, between two rivers, which fed the soil and provided freshness to desert air. Not far from the present palace, there are traces of Amir Temur constructions– Eastern rulers of all times loved this corner of the earth.

Here remained until now constructions of Emir Alimkhan, which has been erected on multiple cultural layers and legends. For each period – there is own fairy tale, every Emir has been constructing the gardens of Eden in this place due to his own reasons.

The entrance of this beautiful place was created through front gates with observation turrets. At the beginning, we pass courtyard with guardrooms and craft workshops that were located there.

Nowadays, every visitor could enjoy the national color buying souvenirs in ethnic shops that sell goods of craftsmen, mainly, Bukhara embroidery with eternal symbol - peacock.Entrance to the garden passes through covered arcade. The Palace stands on water pond shore, from its grand blind wall, and entrance covered with magnificent carved iwan.

The most amazing things of this place located inside the building – all rooms, decorated with gold and silver, bewitch every guest with its unique splendor. Today here was created a museum that keeps national heritage of the national history. If you want to visit this place - welcome to Uzbekistan!

Unique decorations of the rooms, collection of gifts, presented to Emirs of Bukhaha - that is all and even more that attract many people every year as place with unequalled treasure of national inheritance.

Both, tourists and locals love this place. For its microclimate, and extraordinary quietness, this is interrupted only with the scream of peacocks and palpitation of the leaves.Sitorai-Mohi Hosa Palace(translated from Persian as the star and the moon of Khan) was built in XIX - XX centuries by father of the last Emir Ahadhan.

The new complex of garden pavilions was built to the east of the residence Ahadhan. It is a large garden area of 6.7 hectares with fruit orchards. There are two sculptures of marble lions at the entrance to the palace. Colorful mosaic patterns adorn the main entrance to the palace, which is uncharacteristic of the local architecture. Blue and green colors are dominated in the decoration of the interior.

Palace Sitora-Mohi-Hosa consists of three main parts: the entrance, outside courtyard - for men and inside courtyard - for women. The walls of the palace are surrounded by a wide area. There is a small body of water in the centre of the palace.

Nowadays, there is a museum of decorative arts in the palace, which was opened in 1927. There are some great expositions: Interior of the summer palace" where you can see the palace furniture XIX-XX centuries, Chinese and Japanese porcelain XIV-XX centuries, jewelry of famous Bukhara masters; “Clothing of Bukhara dweller of XIX- XX centuries", where the collection of clothing, belts, scarves, shoes are represented; ethnographic exhibition of house interior of Bukhara’s urban residents.