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The Kalyan Minaret is the defining symbol of Bukhara, a 47-meter tower of baked brick that has dominated the city's skyline since 1127. Known as the 'Tower of Death' for its use as an execution site in the 19th century, it is one of the most remarkable examples of medieval Islamic architecture in Central Asia.
Built in 1127 by the Karakhanid ruler Arslan Khan to replace an earlier minaret that had collapsed, the Kalyan Minaret served as both a beacon for Silk Road caravans and a call-to-prayer tower. It is the only Bukhara structure that survived Genghis Khan's invasion intact. The minaret was used for executions until the early 20th century.