Nogay caravanseray

Nogay Caravanserai is located in the western part of the Sarrofon Architectural Complex in Bukhara. It was built in 1720–1721 on the site of the former Sokhta Caravanserai, which belonged to Qulbobo Kukaldash and was destroyed by fire.

Historical records indicate that merchants conducted trade on the ground floor, while the upper floor was used for tailoring traditional robes (chopons). Following the Gazli earthquake of 1976–1977, the entire second floor was demolished. Today, the remaining rooms are used as handicraft workshops, souvenir shops, and offices.

The construction and maintenance of major caravanserais in the Sarrofon district played an important role in the development of trade in the Bukhara Khanate. Endowment (waqf) documents related to the caravanserai have survived and contain information about its finances and maintenance. The building originally consisted of two stories surrounding a large inner courtyard. Shops and craft workshops were located on both sides of the main northern entrance.

Architecture

The entrance portal of the caravanserai is decorated with glazed ceramic tiles. Above the entrance, a historical inscription in Nasta‘liq script has been preserved. Measuring approximately 40 × 40 cm, the inscription contains a chronogram indicating the year 1134 AH (1721–1722 CE).

The caravanserai was built of baked brick, wood, stone, and ganch (decorative plaster). Its wooden entrance doors were richly ornamented with traditional carvings and decorative motifs. Although the second floor was lost after the earthquake, the building remains an important example of Bukhara’s historic commercial architecture.