Description
The caravanserai in Orenburg was built in 1837-1846. The construction of the caravanserai was dictated by practical needs. At that time, the Russian Empire was active in the Muslim regions of the Caucasus and Central Asia. The caravanserai was necessary so that the soldiers and officers of the Bashkir-Meshcheryak army would have a place in Orenburg where they could gather.
The initiator of the construction of the caravanserai, Orenburg military governor Vasily Perovsky, said that "Bashkirs and mishars who come to Orenburg for their needs and service do not have any shelter in the city." He noted: "it is important that they have a more comfortable room for themselves and their horses ... and that Bashkirs have the full opportunity to fulfill their law of demands and prayers." The Bashkir-Meshcheryak army was composed of Bashkirs and Mishars, and later also included Teptyars. It was an irregular force created to ensure security on Russia's southern borders.
The building of the caravanserai, which includes the main building, mosque and minaret, has a symbolic meaning. It was shaped like a Bashkir village. The mosque, located in the center of the architectural ensemble, looked like the home of a Bashkir elder. In Bashkir, it is called “tirme". The turrets located at the corners of the main building symbolize yurts. There is a small courtyard inside the building.
The interior decoration is done in a rather restrained manner. This is due to the fact that there was little money for construction, and the work of the master carvers cost a lot of money. In addition, instead of Bashkir national motifs, more common Turkish, Arabic and Moorish patterns are used here.
The main building is shaped like the letter "P" and consists of five adjacent buildings. The building was supposed to house different institutions, so each of them had to have a separate entrance. The interior of the main building is quite simple. In turn, the octagonal mosque is decorated in a more refined manner. The 39-meter-high minaret is decorated with white tiled bricks.
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