Ak-Saray Palace

Answers 8

1.Shakhrisabz which means “greet city” in Persian is one of the ancient and historical cities of present day Uzbekistan. It is situated in the south part of the country, about 80 kilometers of SAmarkand. Being very popular as a birth place of Amir Temur, it was formerly one of the largest cities in Central Asia. According to archeological data the foundation of the city goes back to the middle of the first millennium. At the beginning of the Common Era and in the early middle ages the city was called with different names such as Kesh, Nautaka, Sugda and some others.

The history of the city during the Mongol invasion is scarcely found in historical scripts. The name “Shakhrisabz” was met on the silver coins impressed in 1351. Sharafuddin Ali Yazdi, one of the famous historians of the XV century wrote that Turkic people had called the city “Kesh”. During the Temur’s and Temurids’ period Shakhrisabz became the summer residence of Barlos noblemen and one of the largest cities of the great empire. At that time a lot of historically famous monuments and buildings such as Ak Saray palace and the complex of Dorus-Saodat were built and the city was surrounded by a wall.

2. Ak-Saray Palace

The most magnificent of monumental buildings were built in Shakhrisabz in the time of the Temurids is Ak-Saray Palace. Its fantastic ruins can be seen from afar and make a deep impression. Amir Temur meant to make Shakhrisabz the second capital of his empire, no less sumptuous than Shakhrisabz. The construction of the palace was started in 1380 and lasted more than 25 years. It is known that architects and handicraftsmen from Khorezm, shortly before subjugated by Temur, took part in the construction of the palace. Several legends are connected with the history of this grandiose structure. As one of them says, some gold sand was put into the clay intended for making the first bricks for the royal structure. 

The construction works were carried out on a ‘kingly scale’ indeed. The great ruler begrudged no money. His buildings were supposed to be the biggest and the very best in the world. It was not without purpose that on the portal of his palace there was made an inscription that says: “Those who doubt my power and munificence should look at my buildings” On the basis of descriptions made by Temur’s contemporaries, as well as archeological research materials, the scientists managed to reconstruct the layout and artistic design of the palace. Though “Ak-Saray” means “White Palace” in Uzbek, in the context of a name for a palace the word ‘white’ can be interpreted as “ noble, regal”. What amazes a visitor first is the magnitude of the building. The inner courtyard alone was 250 metres in length and 125 metres in width. The height of the main portal crowned with arched battlement, was 70 metres – the size of a 20-storey building. Corner towers were no less than 80 metres high whereas the entrance arch span exceeded 22 metres. According to the records of Ruy Gonsalez de Clavijo, the envoy of the King of Castile to the court of Temur, they entered the palace “by a very broad and lofty door way, ornamented with gold and blue patterns on glazed tiles, richly and beautifully worked. On the top of this doorway there was the figure of a lion and a sun, which are the arms of the lord of Shakhrisabz…” The door led to grand reception hall. The luxury of decoration of the palace was supplemented with floors finely wrought in tiles, some of which was found during the excavation works. The palace took on several functions: it was the place for recreation and entertainment of the royal family, as well as administration building for running state affairs. On the axis of the courtyard there were domed quarters for holding sessions of divan – council of state. The smaller halls on both sides were used for sessions of royal advisers – Tavajibeks and Divanbeks.

3. Among the decorative tiles one can find the inscription with the name of the craftsman Makhmud Yusuf Tebrizi and the date the decorative works were completed – 798 (1395). At the end of the 16^th century Shakhrisabz rebelled against the rule of Sheibanid dynasty. After the siege of the disobedient city, Abdullakhan II ordered to destroy Ak-Saray as well as other Timurid’s constructions. In the 1760s the ruins of Amir Temur’s palace were within the residential quarters of Shakhrisabz bek. At that time Ak-Saray portal decorated the inner courtyard of the residence with its throne hall and treasury. The territory of former royal gardens and pools was build up with so called Tashkari – backyard with premises for bodyguards, servants and sentry. By the eastern entrance to Ak-Saray palace there was arranged Gun Yard – tupkhona. Only huge abutments of portal arch have survived, yet until now these remains of the former splendeur symbolize the might of Amir Temur’s state.

Congregational mosque Kok Gumbaz

4. Along the main axis of the beautiful carved door is Kok Gumbaz with a simple shape tombstone paneled wonderful green. Stalactite domed tomb is covered with majolica inside and elegant ribbed outside. North wall has a decorative entrance portal. Northwest corner of the building is a mosque, rectangular in plan, with four niches. To place a dome space spanned by two arches between two arks that formed a square base for the inner and outer domes. All the arches are covered with stalactites. Small tiled mihrab carved mosaics.

Of the plan shows that the center of the composition is a huge domed hall, intended for public meals.

There was a bronze cauldron, crafted in the late XIV century. On three sides of the central hall was attached to different areas of economic and ancillary character.

Currently, the portal Shahrisabz this stately building remained one tower, inside which is the tomb of Imam Havreti. For thirty years, Timur Samarkand completely transformed. The city was surrounded by mighty walls with six gates.

In Kashkadarya oasis in the ancient city Shahrisabz was born and raised famous ancestor Tamerlan. And one of the popular sights of the city is a monument of Amir Temur constructed by sculptor Ivan Jabbarov.

The city Shahrisabz was awarded the Order of Amir Temur. And 1996 was a year of the 660th anniversary of the great ruler, Tamerlane that was declared by UNESCO as a Year of Amir Temur. And Shahrisabz is the birthplace of the grand commander.

Its construction was attended by experts from different parts of our country. Many skilled craftsmen contributed to the monument as well as national artists. On the anniversary of Amir Temur worthy gift presented Samarkand, restored dozens of historic sites associated with his name. And there appeared large buildings and new parks. In the center was opened Amir Temur Square, where the majestic monument of Sahibkeran Tamerlan.

Scientific meetings and memorable evening, organized with the assistance of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation and the International Foundation of Amir Temur, held in Turkey, Iran, Kyrgyzstan and other countries. Under the auspices of UNESCO in Paris in April 1996 was a week dedicated to the 660th anniversary of Amir Temur. At the residence of the UNESCO conference and exhibition held on the topic "The flowering of culture and education in the Timurid era." The exhibition was visited by the President of France Jacques Chirac.

You will delve into the aroma of mystery of these beautiful cities through the Silk Road Travel. Discover the grandeur of old relics and monuments that cast a spell on every visitor. These sightseeing in Shahrisabz will draw you in Scheherazade’s tales and medieval legends