Madrasah of Emir Alimkhan

"Built between 1914 and 1915, this madrasa is one of the newest structures within Bukhara's architectural ensemble. Despite being a recent construction, the madrasa was built in a style that reflects the traditional architecture of Bukhara. This creates a sense of cohesion with the surrounding historical landmarks. The madrasa was constructed at the behest of Sayyid Mir Muhammad Alim Khan, the final ruler of the Bukhara Emirate. The madrasa stands on the site of a former bathhouse, the Qazi Kalon bathhouse, with the octagonal dome of the bathhouse still visible today. This integration of an existing structure showcases an interesting architectural approach. After the establishment of Soviet power in Bukhara, the madrasa, like many other religious institutions, was closed. From the early 1920s onwards, the building served as a city library, housing a collection of books and resources for the community."