Uzbekistan tourism information >>  Bukhara >>  Samanid Mausoleum >>
Samanid Mausoleum
<- Back
Next ->

Samanid Mausoleum

The Samanid mausoleum is located in the historical urban nucleus of the city of Bukhara, in a park laid out on the site of an ancient cemetery. This mausoleum, one of the most esteemed sights of Central Asian architecture, was built in the 9th century (between 892 and 943) as the resting-place of Ismail Samani - the founder of the Samanid dynasty, the last Persian dynasty to rule in Central Asia, which held the city in the 9th and 10th centuries. Although in the first instance the Samanids were Governors of Khorasan and ''Ma wara'u'n-nahr'' under the suzerainty of the Abbasid Caliphate, the dynasty soon established virtual independence from Baghdad.

For many years the lower part of the mausoleum remained under a two-meter high layer of sediment. Now the foundation has been cleared of these obstacles and the mausoleum, fully restored, is open for observation from all sides as was initially planned by the builders.

The monument marks a new era in the development of Central Asian architecture, which was revived after the Arab conquest of the region. The architects continued to use an ancient tradition of baked brick construction, but to a much higher standard than had been seen before. The construction and artistic details of the brickwork, are still enormously impressive, and display traditional features dating back to pre-Islamic culture.

 © Copyright 2005-2006 by Dmitriy Page.
 
This article is associated with conformable article of Wikipedia Free Encyclopedia, initially contributed by the author of this site.


The Guide to Bukhara. History and sights - Bukhara Uzbekistan

Tashkent | Hotels | Map Samarkand | Hotels | Map Bukhara | Hotels | Map Khiva | Hotels | Map

© The copy rights disponent - Walter Kaefer. All rights reserved
 No images from PAGETOUR CD or website may be reproduced without prior written consent.


Узбекистан: Туризм, Информация, Фотографии, Гостиницы, Карта   ПАРУС Отдых, поездки, путешествия - Узбекистан, Ташкент. Консультации   Parus - Uzbekistan cheap travel, information: sights, visa, hotels, tickets      Uzbekistan travel and tourism directory   Tashkent Uzbekistan Trip - Web Design Link Building Linking campaign SEO   WK Travel Agency. Uzbekistan, Central Asia Visa Tours, Hotels, Flights   Uzbekistan tourism information: sights, attractions, hotels, map, photos   Asia travel tours   Mountain Guides