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Khast Imam Complex
Best time to visit
Morning between 9 and 11, when the sun hits the blue domes and the light in the library is at its best. Avoid Friday noon, when it is busy with prayer.
Budget tips
Free entry to the entire complex, but bring 50,000 som (approx. 35 DKK) for a tip to the guide who shows you the Uthman Quran. No combination ticket or ticket required.
Recommended for
Religious enthusiasts, History enthusiasts, Architecture photographers, Culturally conscious travelers
Plan your visit
1-2 hours
About
Quick facts: Here lies the world's oldest preserved Quran, the Uthman Quran from the 7th century, handwritten on goatskin and still visible to visitors. The complex brings together seven historic buildings in one area, including mosques, madrasas, and a library with over 20,000 rare manuscripts.
Highlights: The 1,350-year-old Uthman Quran is kept in a glass case with constant climate control, and you can see blood stains on the pages from the day Caliph Uthman was murdered while reading it. Only a few places on earth can you get so close to a document that directly connects you with Islam's earliest history.
Insider tips
- Bring a scarf regardless of gender; you must cover your head, shoulders, and knees to enter the mosques.
- Stand by the wooden gate at the main entrance at 3 PM when locals recite the Quran loudly and the sound waves through the courtyard.
- The library with the Uthman Quran is small and easy to overlook; look for the green door to the right behind the Barak-Khan Madrasa.
- Visit the adjacent Chorsu Bazar on the other side of the street first, so you avoid the rush of tourists in the middle of the day.
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