The Harem Building — Sitorai Mokhi-Khosa, Bukhara

Just outside Bukhara lies Sitorai Mokhi-Khosa, the summer palace of the last emirs of Bukhara. Built in the late 19th and early 20th century, it was designed as a cool retreat from the intense summer heat of the city. The architecture blends traditional Bukharan design with Russian and European influences, reflecting the cultural crossroads of the time.

According to local stories, Emir Alim Khan had fallen in love with a Russian noblewoman. Hoping she might one day join him, he commissioned parts of the palace in a Russian style to make her feel more at home. She never came — but the result is a striking mix of styles that reflects the Emir's hopes and the cultural changes happening in Bukhara at the time.

The building in this photo once housed the Emir's harem, and shows the mix of Moorish arches, Russian windows, and Islamic details that defined the Emir's eclectic taste. On the right, the open minaret — built without walls — was designed to let the breeze pass through, offering relief from the summer heat. Together with the still pond and surrounding gardens, this scene gives a rare glimpse into the quiet, private world of Bukhara's last royal court.