Shakhrisabz

Formerly known as Kesh or Kish (i.e., “heart-pleasing”) and tentatively identified with the ancient Nautaca, Shakhrisabz is one of Central Asia’s most ancient cities. It was founded more than 2,700 years ago. Its name was officially changed to Shakhrisabz in the modern era.

Shahrisabz means in Persian “Green City” and was known in the middle ages as the famous city of Kesh. The city witnessed invasions of Persian kings Darius and Cyrus, an army of Alexander Macedonian, Arab conquerors, and a horde of Chengiz Khan. People of Kesh time and again had fought against enemy invasions. In the seventh century, this city becomes the center of the struggle against Arab invasion and the propagation of new religion. The rebellion lasted more than 25 years led by Muqanna Hashim Ibn Khakim. Freedom loving spirit of the people of Kesh showed itself up later in the XIV century during the struggle against Mongol authority. A special place in the history of Shakhrisabz takes the epoch of Timur and Timurids. Timur was born in 1336 in Hodja Ilgor village not far away from the city, where he spent his childhood. During 35 years of his government Timur in all possible ways strengthened and beautified his home city. During this time the historical importance of the city rose as a nonofficial capital of the great empire. Shahrisabz hosted messengers and businessmen from big European and Asian states. Natives of Shahrisabz become ambassadors of Timur in Byzantium, Genoa, Castile, Egypt, China, and other countries. Kings of France and England exchanged with Timur with friendly messages. The foundation of a strong centralized state promoted bloom for trade, crafting, construction, art, and science. Unique socio-cultural life was established in Shahrisabz. Famous theologians, scientists, and skilled masters paid a visit to this city.

Spanish ambassador Rui Gonsalez Klaviho visited Shakhrisabz in 1404 and wrote that city was situated in a plain area, many channels and brooks surrounded it, and also was surrounded by many gardens and houses, and had a defensive wall with a deep moat and drawbridges at the gates. Thanks to the note of De Klaviho and a descendant of Timur, Zakhiriddin Bobur, we can imagine the magnificence of the Ak-Saray palace, which is the pride of architecture of Timurids. It is said in the inscription in one of the portals: “If you hesitate in our power, look at our buildings”. Now many tourists come to admire masterpieces of world civilization with architectural ensembles Ak-Saray, Dorut-Tilovat, Dorut Saodat, madrasah Kuk-Gumbaz, Chubin, trading Chorsu bazaar, and others. It is no coincidence that in 2000, Shakhrisabz together with Bukhara and Khiva was included in the list of world heritage by the general assemble of UNESCO.

Monuments

Several remaining impressive monuments from the Timurid Dynasty have enabled the old part of the city to be inscribed on the UNESCO world Heritage List. (See List of World Heritage Sites in Uzbekistan)

Ak-Saray Palace

Timur’s Summer Palace, the “White Palace” was planned as the most grandiose of all Timur’s constructions. It was started in 1380 by artisans deported by Timur from the recently conquered Khwarezm. Unfortunately, only traces of its gigantic 65 m gate towers survive, with blue, white, and gold mosaics. Above the entry of the Ak-Saray are big letters saying: “If you challenge our power – look at our buildings!”

Kok Gumbaz Mosque / Dorut Tilovat (Dorut Tilavat) Complex

A Friday mosque built in 1437 by Ulugh Beg in honor of his father Shah Rukh, its name meaning “Blue Dome”. Located immediately behind the Kok Gumbaz Mosque is the so-called “House of Meditation”, a mausoleum built by Ulugh Beg in 1438 but never used for burials.

Hazrat-i Imam Complex

East of the Kok Gumbaz is another mausoleum complex called Dorus-Saodat (Seat of Power and Might), which contains the Tomb of Jehangir, Timur’s eldest and favorite son. The adjacent mosque is said to house the tomb of a revered 8th-century imam Amir Kulal.

Tomb of Timur

Behind the Hazrat-i Imam Emsemble is a bunker with a door leading to an underground chamber, discovered by archaeologists in 1943. The room is nearly filled with a single stone casket, on which inscriptions indicate that it was intended for Timur. However, the conqueror was buried in Samarkand, not at Shahrisabz, and mysteriously, his tomb in Shahrisabz contained two unidentified corpses.

Also of interest are medieval baths and an 18th-century bazaar.