Maghok-i-Attar

Top choice in Bukhara


Between the two covered bazaars, in what was the old herb-and-spice bazaar, is Central Asia’s oldest surviving mosque, the Maghoki-Attar, a lovely mishmash of 9th-century facade and 16th-century reconstruction. This is probably also the town’s holiest spot: in the 1930s archaeologists found under it bits of a 5th-century Zoroastrian temple ruined by the Arabs and an earlier Buddhist temple.

According to legend, the mosque survived the Mongols by being buried by locals in sand. Indeed, only the top of the mosque was visible when the digging began in the 1930s; the present plaza surrounding it is the 12th-century level of the town. A section of the excavations has been left deliberately exposed inside. The building today ostensibly functions as an interesting museum exhibiting Solor and Ersari Turkmen carpets (so-called 'Bukhara' carpets are almost always Turkmen).

Climb a couple of stairs in the corner of the mosque for a view of the charred Zoroastrian remains. You will often find melted candles and evidence of small fires in the exterior niches of the building, a sign that Zoroastrian influence in Uzbek folk culture runs deep.

The charming staff will tell you that until the 16th century, Bukhara’s Jews are said to have used the mosque in the evenings as a synagogue – a wonderful image of the cosmopolitan tolerance that was once such a part of Bukhara's identity.

The foundations surrounding the mosque once belonged to a series of bathhouses and caravanserai.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Bukhara attractions

1. Taki-Sarrafon

0.05 MILES

The Moneychangers' Bazaar is a typically domed bazaar straddling one of Bukhara's main street junctions. It contains several souvenir stalls and a…

2. Bukhara Museum of Fine Art

0.07 MILES

This museum of art has a worthy collection of mostly 20th-century paintings by Bukharan and Russian artists, including the atmospheric works of Pavel…

3. Taki-Telpak Furushon

0.07 MILES

The Cap Makers Bazaar is a typically domed bazaar straddling one of Bukhara's main street junctions. It contains several souvenir stalls that still sell…

4. Nadir Divanbegi Khanaka

0.08 MILES

On the western side of the Lyabi-Hauz is the Nadir Divanbegi Khanaka, a Sufi cloister used for religious ceremonies, debates and instruction. Both this…

5. Puppet Museum

0.11 MILES

The displays here on the history and manufacture of Bukhara's famous puppets are worth a quick visit, especially if you have kids in tow.

6. Photo Gallery

0.11 MILES

This private gallery in the former Olimjon Caravanserai contains mesmerising photos of Bukhara Jews, gypsies and city life shot by Bukharan photographer…

7. Lyabi-Hauz

0.12 MILES

Lyabi-Hauz, a plaza built around a pool in 1620 (the name is Tajik for ‘around the pool’), is the most peaceful and interesting spot in town – shaded…

8. Jewish Community Centre & Synagogue

0.12 MILES

Bukhara's main synagogue is in the old town. It holds regular services and also sponsors a functioning Jewish school just around the corner. Look for the…

  • placement: superzone
  • path: Destinations/POIs/superzone
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [1, 1],
  • targeting:
    {
      "url": "uzbekistan/central-uzbekistan/bukhara/attractions/maghok-i-attar/a/poi-sig/443699/357828",
      "destination": "Bukhara",
      "continent": "Asia",
      "country": "Uzbekistan",
      "city": "Bukhara",
      "position": "superzone"
    }