Cities

The birth place of Tamerlane “Kesh” was renamed as “Shakhrisabz” (Green city) during his rule in 14th century and turned into his family monuments. The city was destroyed by Abdullah Khan of Bukhara at the end of 16th century.

Places of Interest in Shakhrisabz

Ak Saray

Timur's summer palace called Ak Saray (White Palace), covers an area of the size of an Olympic stadium, took a quarter of a century to build and was under construction, when he died. There is actually nothing left except bits of the majestic 40 meter high entrance, covered with gorgeous, filigree-like blue, white and gold mosaics. It was probably Timur's most ambitious project.

Kok-Gumbaz Mosque & Dorut Tilovat

This big Friday mosque was completed by Ulugbek in 1437 in honor of his father Shakhrukh (Timur's son). The name means Blue Dome. Behind it was the original burial complex of Timur's forebears. The sign says Dorut Tilovat (House of Meditation). On the left is the Mausoleum of Sheikh Shamsuddin Kulal, spiritual tutor of Timur and his father, Amir Taragay. It was completed by Timur in 1374. On the right is the Gumbazi Seyidon (Dome of the Seyyids), which Ulugbek finished in 1438 as a mausoleum for his own descendants.

Doru Saodat Complex

The complex was built in 1392 by Timur and it means seat of Power & Might. The main survivor is the tall, crumbling tomb of Jehangir, Timur's eldest and favorite son, who died at the age of 22. It is also the resting place for another son, Umar Sheikh (Timur's other sons, Shahrukh and Miran Shah were buried with him at Guri Amir in Samarkand). Khazrati Imam Mosque dates only from the late 19th century. The name refers to a revered 8th century Imam, or religious leader from Iraq, and the story goes that Abdullah Khan II spared the mausoleum because he was told the Imam was buried there.