Sitorai-Mohi-Hosa
The palace Sitorai-Mohi-Hosa "Elegant Star of the Moon" was the country residence of the Bukhara amirs. It is situated 4 km north of Bukhara in the area of a drained swamp. Parts of the palace buildings existed there under Amirs Nasrullah and Muzaffar. But large-scale construction in Sitorai-Moh-Hosa was started only in the time of Amir Abd al-Ahad died in 1910) The palace complex had been built for two decades by the end of the century. The old palace was constructed under Amir Abd al-Ahad-khan. He sent Bukhara masters to Petersburg and Yalta to study Russian architecture. Using Russian experience, local architects headed by usto Khadja Hafiz built a splendid building that combined local Bukhara and European traditions. The palace throne-yard played a major role. During the Amir's reception ceremonies the court elite stood under its arches. Some of the buildings of the palace were designed by an engineer, Ignatiy Sakovich.
It is said that the pond in front of the palace was used by the palace women for playing in the water, while the Emir of Bukhara sat upstairs to watch. When he saw a palace woman he liked, he would throw an apple to her, and she would then be favored. The exterior decoration of this building combines European and Central Asian architectural styles, reflecting the influence of Europe on Central Asia at the time, both in terms of architectural structure and interior decoration. The palace may appear somewhat rough on the outside, but the interior rooms and halls are exquisite in design and craftsmanship. Legend has it that before building this palace, the Emir of Bukhara racked his brains over the location. Later, following an old man's advice, the Emir ordered four sheep to be killed and their meat hung in four different directions of Bukhara. After a while, the meat in other directions rotted, but the meat in the north remained fresh. The Emir believed the air there was fresher, so he chose the north of the city as the site for the palace.
The new palace complex of Sitorai-Mohi-Hosa was finished in the time of amir Alim-khan. It had grand entrance arch, yard with galleries. the main building in the European style and house for the amir's harem in the garden. New structures were designed by engineer Morgulis. Dutch tiled stoves, stained glass and mirrors were supplied by Russian plants. The marble lions at the entrance were sculptured by Nurata masters, they also carved marble spillways for the hauz in the form of a dragon jaw. The carved ganch panels on mirror background in "The White hall" were made by Bukhara masters headed by usto Shirin Muradov. The paintings in the reception room-by us to Hasan-Djan. They have recognized masterpieces of Bukhara craft. After the revolution of 1920. Sitorai-Mohi-Hosa was the chairman of the Supreme state body of Bukhara National Republic (1920-1924)-all-Bukhara Kurultai.
