Kalyan Minaret (Great Minaret) is the main symbol of sacred Bukhara. The minaret was used not only for calling Muslims to pray, but also symbolized authority and power of spiritual governors. The central ensemble of Bukhara—Poi-Kalyan—literally "Foot of the Great" was built around the minaret. Kalyan is a round tower,
9 meters in diameter at the foot and 6 meters at the top. One can get into the minaret through a passage from the roof of the cathedral mosque. Inside the tower there is a spiral staircase with 104 steps. The minaret is 45.6 meters high. The cornice has an inscription testifying to the date of construction—1127, and the architect's name—Bako.