Wednesday, October 9, 2019

Ismail Samanai Mausoleum, Bukhara, Uzbekistan

First stop today was this mausoleum. Completed in 905 AD. It is Bukhara's oldest monument.
Interesting because it was built over the remains of a Zoroastrian temple. and thought it was built for a Sunni ruler, it incorporates many Zoroastrian elements,
 So it is square as were the Zoroastrian temples, the dome has little triangles on it representing the rays of the sun.
The four little mounds on the corners represent the seasons, as well as the four elements.

The little circles which are architectural decorations represent the sun as well. The square decorations are an aerial view of the design of the mausoleum.
Legend has it that if your walk around the building three time and then write down a question about what is troubling you, you will receive advice on the best way forward.

It was not as spectacular as the mausoleums in Samarkand, but it had a very beautiful ambiance, and the baked brickwork decorations were very attractive

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