Mir-i-Arab Madrasa

As travel experts in Bukhara, we always highlight Mir‑i‑Arab Madrasa as the spiritual heart of the Po‑i‑Kalyan ensemble and one of the most important religious schools in Central Asia. Built around 1535–1536 under Ubaydulla Khan and named after his Yemeni Sufi mentor Sheikh Abdullah al‑Yamani (Mir‑i‑Arab), this 16th‑century Shaibanid madrasa stands directly opposite the Kalyan Mosque, with a monumental façade, twin turquoise domes and a classic layout: a square courtyard surrounded by two floors of hujras, domed classrooms in the corners and a central portal framed by two‑storey loggias. Mir‑i‑Arab is famous not only for its carved mosaic and floral tile decoration but also for its role in living religious education: it remained one of the only functioning madrasas in the USSR after World War II and still operates today, with a shrine inside where Ubaydulla Khan and Mir‑i‑Arab himself are buried. We recommend viewing the façade and domes from the Kalan Mosque courtyard and Po‑i‑Kalyan square, respecting that the interior is often closed or restricted due to its active religious function, and appreciating it as a place where Islamic scholarship has continued almost without interruption for nearly 500 years.

Majestic! One of the buildings of the Po-i-Kolon complex is the Sheikh Mir-i-Arab Madrasa, the Quranic school built between 1530 and 1536 by Ubaydullah Khan in honor of his Sufi teacher Abdullah al-Yemeni. Since the nickname of this Sufi scholar was Sheikh Mir-i-Arab, the "Prince of the Arabs", the madrasa was given this name. How the construction of the school was financed is a less pretty story: Ubaydullah Khan sold 3,000 Shiite Bukharans into slavery to raise money! With a brief interruption from 1920 to 1946, the Quranic school has been in operation since its opening in 1536 and has produced several high officials (grand muftis). Since 2018, the madrasa has had the status of a university.

🕌 Mir-i-Arab Madrasa – A Living Legacy of Islamic Education in Bukhara 📍 Location: Opposite Kalyan Mosque, Po-i-Kalyan Complex, Bukhara, Uzbekistan 📅 Built: Circa 1535–1536 🔨 Commissioned by: Sheikh Abdullah Yamani of Yemen (Mir-i-Arab), financed by Ubaydullah Khan of the Shaybanid Dynasty ✨ Overview: The Mir-i-Arab Madrasa is one of Central Asia’s most revered Islamic institutions, renowned for its architectural grandeur, historical significance, and continuous use as a religious school for nearly 500 years. 🌟 Key Highlights: Architectural Masterpiece This iconic madrasa showcases stunning blue-tiled domes, intricate mosaic work, and a symmetrical facade typical of Timurid and Shaybanid-era design. The central portal is adorned with majestic calligraphy and glazed ceramic art. A Symbol of Revival Built during the rule of Ubaydullah Khan, the madrasa marked a cultural and religious renaissance in Bukhara following the Mongol invasions. It was established to promote Islamic learning and Sufism. Still Active Today Mir-i-Arab remains a functioning madrasa, training young men in Islamic theology, Arabic, and Qur’anic studies. It was one of the few Islamic institutions allowed to operate during the Soviet era, making it a symbol of religious resilience. Name Origin “Mir-i-Arab” means “Prince of the Arabs”, referring to Sheikh Abdullah Yamani, a revered Yemeni scholar who became spiritual advisor to Ubaydullah Khan and is buried in the madrasa. 🧭 What You’ll See: The two blue domes: one crowns the prayer hall, the other the burial chamber of Mir-i-Arab and Ubaydullah Khan. A vast central courtyard surrounded by two stories of hujras (student rooms). Beautiful mosaic tilework depicting floral and geometric patterns. 📷 Photography Tip: Capture the sunset glow on the madrasa’s façade while standing in Registan Square of Bukhara, with the Kalyan Minaret and Mosque in the background for a complete ensemble view.

Construction of the Miri-Arab madrasah dates back to the 16th century and it is still as beautiful as it ever was. It is incredible that it is still an acting institution, where future imams and religious mentors receive their education.

This is the Mir-i-Arab Madrasa in Bukhara, Uzbekistan, built in the early 16th century during the Shaybanid era. It is one of the most iconic and well-preserved examples of Islamic architecture in Central Asia. The madrasa is adorned with stunning blue tilework and intricate geometric patterns, characteristic of the Timurid and Shaybanid styles. It has historically been a center for Islamic education and is still active today, making it an important cultural and spiritual landmark in Bukhara.

A beautiful Madrasa in the heart of Burkhara, it's a great place to stop by and get some rest while doing people watching. I highly recommend visiting in the evening as it's a popular gathering place for tourists and locals

A very good madrasah (school) which produces good scholars. All of them are young male scholars. Guest cannot go in to the school but can watch in the lobby area.

When we visited this the Madrassah was undergoing renovations and hence we could not a very good view of the interior of the building Directly facing Kalyan Mosque is Mir-i-Arab Madrasah, which was also built between 1535 and 1536 during the Khanate of Bukhara. The madrasah has two floors and is beautifully ornate with mosaics and colorful patterns. There’s also a mausoleum inside dedicated to Sheikh Abdullah Yamani of Yemen, who was the spiritual mentor of the Shaybanids. Today, the madrasah is still a functioning Islamic college, almost 500 years after it was built! This madrasah is considered one of the most interesting monuments of Bukhara, and is still an acting institution, where future imams and religious mentors receive their education There are two big blue domes of the Miri-Arab madrasah towering above the surrounding buildings in the center of Bukhara. Along with the Kalyan mosque and minaret, this religious educational establishment forms the whole ensemble Poi-Kalyan that is the spiritual center of the city.