The extraordinary turquoise domes and beautifully restored portals of this majestic architectural ensemble rise up between the trading domes and the Ark Fortress. The elegance of both the Mir-i-Arab Madrasa and the Kalon Mosque stands as testament to the skill of Uzbek architects and ceramic artists. In the 17C, those who had been condemned to death or judged impure were thrown from the top of the highest minaret in the city (46m), earning the edifice the nickname "Tower of Death".