Historical guidebook on the mausoleums Shakhi-Zinda.

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Southern group Shakhi-Zinda.

The Historical guidebook on the mausoleums Shakhi-Zinda.

“Does progress mean that we dissolve our ancient myths? If we forget our legends, I fear that we shall close an important door to the imagination”

James Christensen.

Nature tour in Samarkand.

Beside the two-dome mausoleum is located the legendary staircase steeply going uphill. It was installed in the XIX century and has fourty-two steps. It is considered that just a true believer can precisely count a number of steps.
In the 1430s, the "entrance" group of Shahi - Zinda necropolis had been architecturally formed. Ulugbeg, on behalf of his little son Abdal-Aziz, built a monumental front entrance with a dome darvaza-khana beside the road.
The portal contains the inscription: “This majestic structure is founded by Abdalaziz-Bahadur, the son of Ulugbeg Guragan, the son of Shahruh, the son of Emir - Temur Guragan in 838H (1434 - 1435)”.
Chortak of Abdal-Aziz represents a four-arched one-dome foyer with well-balanced portal on the main axis. Its decor is formed by brick and composed mosaics. The mosque and utility premises on both sides of chortak represent monuments of later architecture.
They were built on basements of ruined structures of the XV century. The winter mosque is structurally connected with the portal of the 15th century, what says for their synchronic construction.
Madrasah of Davlet Kushbegi - the latest building within Shahi - Zinda necropolis. It was constructed by Samarkand khakim Davlet Kushbegi to the north-east from more ancient "entrance" group in 1812 - 1813.
At the same time, opposite the madrasah was erected a small summer mosque of aivan type, adjoining the western wing of the new building. In 1909 - 1910, Samarkand master usto Siddik did some repair and refreshed paintings.
The light overhang on wooden columns, which walls are decorated with carved ganch, looks very attractive. The madrasah and adjoining mosque are interesting for they represent the final stage of Shahi - Zinda necropolis formatio.

Southern group mausoleums in Shakhi-i-Zinda.