The necropolis named after the “Living Tsar” is one of the most mysterious and unique architectural monuments of Samarkand. Shahi-Zinda consists of eleven mausoleums, which were built one after another in the 14th – 15th centuries.
The oldest buildings of the ensemble, from which only the foundations and tombstones have been preserved, date back to the era of the Turkic dynasty of the Karakhanids. The mausoleums have a turquoise finish and are covered with dark blue tiles with floral ornaments.
But the main mausoleum, from where the necropolis begins, is the grave of the cousin of the Prophet Muhammad – Kusam ibn Abbas. He was called “Shahi Zinda“, which means “Living King” in Persian. He was one of those who preached Islam in this region and later this complex became an important place of pilgrimage.
Burials on the territory of the complex have not been carried out since 1977.
