Central mosque · 2003

Mausoleum of Sheikh Muslihiddin

  • Khujand, Tajikistan
Mausoleum of Sheikh Muslihiddin
13 photos & drawings
Completed
12th century
Built area
6000 m2
Country
Tajikistan
City
Khujand

Overview

About the mosque

The mausoleum itself is a two-storied domed skylight construction with a central cross-shaped ziroyatkhana (commemoration hall) and domical gurkhona (burial-vault). In the centre of the construction there is a carved wooden headstone - (sagona), covered with a thin, geometric carving filled with ornaments and inlaid gems.

Directly across the street from the complex, on the other side of the square, there is one of the largest covered markets in Central Asia - Panjshanbe. The market building is decorated in national style.

Background

History

This large memorial complex located in the historical part of the city was erected on the tomb of Muslihiddin Khudjandi - the ruler of Khujand, a poet who lived in the 12th century. The legends say that sheikh Muslihiddin was a holy miracle-maker. First he was buried in Undzhi settlement (Khujand suburb) but his admirers transferred his remains to the city and built the mausoleum on this place. It was in the 12th century. Back then the mausoleum was a small burial chamber made of burned bricks decorated by terracotta. This tomb was destroyed during Mongol invasion.

In the 14th century the mausoleum was rebuilt with slight changes. It consisted of two rooms. But this building was also destroyed. In the 16th century and you building was erected on what was left of the old mausoleum. Structurally it differed from former structures and became not just the burial site but also the place for prays and ceremonial ceremonials. Today the Mausoleum of Sheikh Muslihiddin is an architectural complex consisting of the cathedral mosque, the 19th-century minaret (above 20m tall) and ancient burials with the Mausoleum of sheikh Muslihiddin being the main one. The present mausoleum is two-storied with the portal entrance and the wide dome. In the center is ziyoratkhona (the hall of commemoration) and the tomb-gurkhona under the dome. In the center of the room there is a wooden sagona covered with graceful geometrical carving with vegetative ornament and incrustations.

Where

Location

Battersea Park Millenium Arena, London SW11 4NJ, UKOpen in Google Maps

References

  1. 01Muslikhiddin-mausoleumsilkadv.com

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