The Samanid Mausoleum is a small 10th-century building and one of the best-preserved monuments of early Islamic architecture in Central Asia. UNESCO highlights it as an outstanding example of 10th-century Muslim architecture.

History and construction period

The mausoleum dates from the 10th century and is attributed either to Ismail Samani (r. 892–907) or to Nasr II (r. 914–943). During work on the building in the 1930s, a Kufic inscription naming Nasr II was found on a lintel.

Architectural features

The building is a near-cube about 9.4 metres on each side, crowned by a dome about 7 metres in diameter, with four small domes at the corners. Its brickwork serves as both structure and decoration, creating rich patterns of light and shadow.

Location

In a park near the Chashma-Ayub mausoleum, west of the Ark. Open in maps

Visiting

The mausoleum is small and combines well with a visit to Chashma-Ayub nearby. Check opening hours and visiting rules on site.

Explore more

Ark Citadel · Poi Kalon Ensemble

Photos: AXP Photography, Meryem Meva (Pexels). Sources: UNESCO, Wikipedia.