Samarkand

Panoramic view of Mausoleums of the middle group, Shah-I Zinda Complex, Samarkand, Uzbekistan, pictured on July 19, 2010, in the early morning. The Shah-i-Zinda Complex is a necropolis of mausoleums whose legendary origin dates back to 676 when Kussam-ibn-Abbas arrived to convert the locals to Islam. So successful was he that he was assassinated whilst at prayer. His grave remains the centre of the sacred site which grew over many centuries, especially the 14th and 15th, into an architecturally stunning example of ceramic art. From right to left: Nameless 1 Mausoleum, 1380s, created by Usto Alim Nesefi, the mausoleum is decorated with relief painted majolica; the portal decorations are notable for the symbol of octagonal stars; to its left are 4 unknown Mausoleums; then another Mausoleum built in the 1380s, and on the extreme left, an octagonal pavilion with a high dome and lancet arches, built under Ulugh Beg. Samarkand, a city on the Silk Road, founded as Afrosiab in the 7th century BC, is a meeting point for the world's cultures. Its most important development was in the Timurid period, 14th to 15th centuries. Picture by Manuel Cohen

Picture No

13425383

Media ID

45092694

Size

9245px x 4219px (10.0MB)

Credit

Manuel Cohen / Mary Evans

Source

Photograph by Manuel Cohen