In Andijan, one of the ancient cities in the Ferghana Valley, just few medieval monuments have survived to present day. After all, more than once during its 2000-year-old history the city was almost completely destroyed by earthquakes. However,among the buildings that managed to escape destruction caused by natural disasters, there should be mentioned Jami architectural complex which covers an area of 1.5 hectares and includes three constructions: a madrassah, a mosque and a minaret.
This architectural complex started to develop at the end of the 19th century, with the construction of Jami madrassah. The main façade of this grandiose building directing eastward stretches for more than 120 metres. Its central part is set off by a high portal with ogival niche, traditional for the Ferghana Valley architecture. The portal is completed with arcade and two elegant corner towers crowned with decorative lanterns. From the central entrance two stories of hujra-cells run south and north. The flat walls of the ground floor cells have rectangular windows, whereas cells above are completed with loggias having arched ceiling with exits to the roof of the madrassah. On either side the main building of the madrassah is flanked by domed premises for studies – darskhona. Inside the premises, the vaults provide transition from a cubic space of the building first to octahedral shape, and then to high cylindrical drum supporting the blue dome.
Almost ascetic decoration of facades of Andijan Jami madrassah with polished baked bricks highlights the blue colour of patterned tiles covering the portal and the drums of the domes, as well as snow-white ganch stucco decoration of the portal niche. The dominating elements of interior decoration are panjara lattice worked windows and fireplaces. A remarkable example of decorative and applied art of the Ferghana Valley is a highly artistic fretwork on the entrance door: deep three-planed vegetal design bordered with geometrical patterns.
Initially Jami madrassah had traditional layout with inner courtyard lined with hujra cells on three sides. Yet its northern and southern wings haven’t survived. And still the front part of madrassah gives the impression of loftiness resulting from a rare harmony of architectural layout, proportionality of building elements and efficiency of the construction.
The madrassah has been restored and houses the exposition of literature and art of Andijan Regional Museum of History.