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Toki Sarrafon

The trading dome of the money changers, closest to Lyabi-Hauz; one of four 16th-century covered markets still used by traders.

BazaarsUNESCO World Heritage16th centuryAbout 15 minutes to see

About the place

In the 16th century the Shaybanid rulers covered the main crossroads of Bukhara's market streets with domed halls, so that trade could continue in summer heat and winter cold. Each dome specialised in one trade. Toki Sarrafon, built where the market street crossed the old Shahrud canal, belonged to the money changers, who dealt in the many currencies brought by caravans.

Today it holds souvenir, textile and spice stalls under a central dome surrounded by smaller ones. It is the natural starting point for a walk north through the other domes towards the Kalyan Minaret.

Sources (1)

  1. 1.Wikidata

Nearby

  • Magoki-Attari MosqueEnsembles

    Under 1 km awayUNESCO World Heritage

    Magoki-Attari Mosque

    A mosque sunk several metres below today's street level, with a carved 12th-century facade; it now holds a small carpet museum.

  • Nadir Divanbegi KhanqahEnsembles

    Under 1 km away

    Nadir Divanbegi Khanqah

    A domed Sufi lodge of 1620 on the west side of the Lyabi-Hauz pool, built by the vizier Nadir Divanbegi together with the pool itself.

  • Jurabek CaravanseraiEnsembles

    Under 1 km away

    Jurabek Caravanserai

    A merchant's caravanserai in central Bukhara where karakul fur was traded before 1920; restored in 2018–2019, it now houses a miniature painting school.

  • Sarrafon MosqueEnsembles

    Under 1 km away

    Sarrafon Mosque

    A 16th-century mosque beside the Toki Sarrafon trading dome in Bukhara, long used as a teahouse, with old calligraphy on its portal.