30 AUGUST 2019 Y.
This building is truly unique. It has experienced many occasions in its history, changing shape, name, form, purpose. Situated between the trade domes & pond (which later became the ensemble Lyabi-Hauz) it was probably some kind of attractiveness in this place, never shorting human attention.
It is unknown what was intended for these places in early times. But Chronicles tell that there was a Bazaar with a brisk trade of spices, herbs & medical potions even before the Arab conquest.
The territory of Maggoki Attori was previously occupied by the religious establishment of the pagan Zoroastrian "Moon temple."
Excavations conducted in the 20th century by scholar V. Shishkin allowed removing almost millennial growths of cultural layer, restoring its authentic look. Their results showed that the first building of the mosque on four pillars was erected here in the 9th century. Its facade was decorated with carving and painting.
In the 12th century, the mosque was waiting for the next restructuring, preserving her basic plan. But due to surrounding its reservoirs it had to be departed from tradition and to put the entrance from the South. Up to now from the original construction survived only the portal, the upper part was completely lost. Until the 16th century, it was considered to be quarterly.
The form in which Magoki Attori appears now she has found during the reconstruction in the 16th century, the inscription on which is depicted on new portal arches. Despite the monochrome, it is interesting for its carved decor, smallest details, and "lace" patterns carvings in alabaster, mosaic, majolica, and terracotta, that we can view for hours in fascination.
It argued that "the Underground mosque" was a prayer place for the Muslims and the Jews before the first synagogue was built. There are several opinions on how this was carried out. According to the first version the prayer was carried out under different angles. The other tells that Jewish began to pray after Muslims. It is assumed that from those events, there is a custom of closing prayer with the phrase "Shalom Aleichem – Peace be with You", used only by Bukhara Jews.
If Bukhara and its old town are recommended for travellers wishing to see Oriental antiquity, the Magoki Attori mosque is a true gem, which appeared in the pre-Islamic period. It is a worshipped place & unique monument of history, miraculously survived and reached our days, literally finding a rebirth of age-old shackles of the earth.