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Bukhara Sights

Lyabi-Hauz

1 reviews | Write a review

Good for: atmosphere, food, Groups, Solo Travellers, service

  • Address
    • Old Town

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Lonely Planet review for Lyabi-Hauz

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 by mulberry trees as old as the pool. The old tea-sipping, chessboard-clutching Uzbek men who once inhabited this corner of town have been moved on by local entrepreneurs bent on cashing in on the tourist trade. Still, the plaza maintains its old-world style and has managed to fend off the glitz to which Samarkand's Registan has succumbed.

On the east side is a statue of Hoja Nasruddin, a semimythical 'wise fool' who appears in Sufi teaching-tales around the world.

Further east, the Nadir Divanbegi Medressa was built as a caravanserai, but the khan thought it was a medressa and it became one in 1622. On the west side of the square, and built at the same time, is the Nadir Divanbegi Khanaka. Both are named for Abdul Aziz Khan's treasury minister, who financed them in the 17th century.

North across the street, the Kukeldash Medressa, built by Abdullah II, was at the time the biggest Islamic school in Central Asia.

 

Traveller reviews for Lyabi-Hauz (1)

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    the best shashlyk ever

    dorotka1984 recommends this,

    I came to her in the beginning of March when there was no tourists around and everything else was closed "for renovation before high season". I came in side, and i must say, as a lonely traveler i got really scared - the only tables available were big, round, about 12 person's each. When i asked for a place to sit, there was no problem, i even got invited to the manager table, who over the best shashlyk i ever had in Central Asia (and I have to say, I've been in lots of places in Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kirghistan and Tajikistan), was asking me what the new Lonely Planet book wrote about his place. Next day, when I came back for dinner, even thou the place was closed for the wedding party, waiter asked me if i wanted to stay, cause in that case, they'll set a special table for me.
    Never before or later during my travel through Central Asia I never had either as good shashlyk or as kind and helpful restaurant manager and staff, not to mention unforgettable experience of eating be the side of a ancient swimming pool :)

    Good for: atmosphere, food, Groups, Solo Travellers, service, Families

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