Bukhara: Baland Mosque

Uzbekistan10 photographs2004

The Masjid-i-Baland or High Mosque has a very typical layout but a most atypical degree of surviving ornamentation.

The building is almost screened by grapes on arbors.

The building is almost screened by grapes on arbors.

Up close, it's revealed as a single-module guzar or flat-roofed mosque. It looks simpler than both the Bolo Hauz mosque and the mosque of th

Up close, it's revealed as a single-module guzar or flat-roofed mosque. It looks simpler than both the Bolo Hauz mosque and the mosque of the Ark.

Go in?

Go in?

Typical columns, carved less than some.

Typical columns, carved less than some.

Everything changes, once you're inside.

Everything changes, once you're inside.

Every surface is ornamented.

Every surface is ornamented.

Wall panel.

Wall panel.

Another panel.

Another panel.

The ceiling.

The ceiling.

The ceiling from a different angle.

The ceiling from a different angle.