Shakhi Zinda Memorial Complex, A Sacred Ensemble of Timurid Mausoleums

4.5

Introduction

This is a tomb avenue, not just a tomb. Enter through the main gate in the morning and climb up several tens of steps, and the tomb avenue will unfold before your eyes. Composed of more than 20 ancient buildings decorated with exquisite porcelain tiles, the scene is quite shocking. This approximately 500-meter-long avenue is the most beautiful place in Samarkand. These ancient buildings have not been renovated and have remained in their original condition, forming a sharp contrast with other famous ancient buildings in Samarkand that have been repaired. The tomb group was built around the tomb of Qusam ibn Abbas, the cousin of the Prophet Muhammad, in the 7th century. Abbas was one of the earliest disciples of the Prophet and the pioneer of Islamic propagation in Central Asia. However, Abbas did not change the faith of the Samarkand king's Zoroastrianism just like Xuanzang, and he suffered from the calamity. He was called the "eternal king" Shakhi Zinda by the people. Emperor Timur rebuilt Abbas's tomb, and his grandson Ulugh Beg also built a gorgeous tomb group on the tomb avenue. Walking among them is like traveling in a mythological kingdom, without feeling that this is a place of rest built for the dead. Every day, large numbers of pilgrims come to worship the tomb, especially the one where Abbas is located, where people often see him dancing spontaneously. To enter the main gate, you need to climb stairs, and locals often count the steps while going up and down, murmuring words. According to legend, if the number of steps counted up and down is the same, it means that you are innocent and have a pure heart. To enter the cemetery, you need to dress conservatively, keep quiet, and avoid making loud noises.