The Legend of Burana Tower

Nestled 10 kilometers (6 miles) south of Tokmok, the Burana Tower is a solitary remnant of the ancient city of Balasagun. Although historians believe that the tower once stood twice its current height as a grand minaret, Kyrgyz legends offer a different narrative about its origins.

According to local lore, a powerful khan had a beautiful daughter named Monara. To shield her from the advances of local suitors, the khan sought the counsel of fortune tellers. Most foretold a future of happiness for Monara, but one seer gave a grim prophecy: «Your daughter’s fate will be sorrowful. She will barely reach her sixteenth year and will meet a tragic end.»

Disturbed by this prophecy, the khan ordered the construction of a towering fortress to imprison his daughter, hoping to protect her from the foretold misfortune. Monara spent her days in the tower, gazing out through its four windows—facing north, east, south, and west—while servants delivered her meals through a basket, ensuring no one could enter her chamber.

On her sixteenth birthday, elated that the fortune teller’s prediction had seemingly failed, the khan sent a basket of fruit to celebrate. After presenting her with the gift and a kiss, Monara suddenly collapsed and died. In his shock and grief, the khan discovered a poisonous black spider hidden within the fruit basket.

Overwhelmed with sorrow, the khan’s cries of despair were so intense that they caused the tower to tremble. The top portion of the structure crumbled, resulting in the ruinous silhouette that remains today.