Historical and Cultural Places

Gavkushon Madrasah

Buxoro viloyati | B.Nashband ko'chasi

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Year of construction: 1562-1566 - Govkushon Madrasah was built by the sheikhs of Jubar in Bukhara. The Jubaris who sponsored the construction of the structure were Muhammad Islam (c. 1493-1563) and Khoja Sa'd (1531/32-1589). The Govkushon Madrasah was built at the beginning of the late Middle Ages, during the reign of the Shaybanids, in the 16th century.

Govkushon Madrasah is a 16th-century architectural monument in the historic center of Bukhara and part of the Khoja-Govkushon Architectural Ensemble. It was built between 1562 and 1565 during the reign of Abdullah Khan II with the support of the influential Juybor sheikh Khoja Sa’d, also known as Khoja Kalon.

The name “Govkushon” means “place where bulls were slaughtered,” referring to a former slaughterhouse that existed on the site before the construction of the complex. Later, a mosque, a pond, and a small minaret were added, forming one of Bukhara’s important religious and educational centers.

Architecture

Due to the irregular shape of the construction site, the madrasa has an unusual layout compared to traditional Central Asian madrasahs. The two-story façade has asymmetrical wings. One side contains halls that served as a mosque and classroom, while the other includes domed rooms and living quarters. The courtyard is surrounded by student cells (hujras), and a small 19.5-meter minaret stands beside the building.

The madrasa was restored several times during the Soviet period and again in 1997 during the celebration of Bukhara’s 2500th anniversary. Today, it serves as a cultural and tourist site with handicraft workshops.

In 1993, the monument was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List as part of the Historic Centre of Bukhara.