Overview:

The Soltan Sanjar Mausoleum is a magnificent example of Islamic architecture and Islamic art. Located just outside Merv, a large fortified city in southern Turkmenistan, it is also one of the largest mausoleums in the Islamic world. The Mausoleum is built on the site of a fortified palace that once housed the Sultan Sanjar, the third and most powerful of the Seljuk Sultans of Persia. The construction of the Mausoleum was completed in 1162 AD after the death of Sultan Sanjar and has been used as a place of worship, pilgrimage and even as a museum since then. The central domed chamber of the Mausoleum is a large hall with walls covered in intricate tile-work and elaborate painting work. It also has a set of five towers surrounding it, one of which is a minaret. Although originally covered with mosaics, paintings and murals, most of these have been lost to time. The mausoleum also contains the tombs of Sultan Sanjar, his mother and his son. The entire complex is an impressive and unique architectural structure which testifies to the power and grandeur of Islam during the medieval period. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Turkmenistan
Prominent Features:

1. Magnificent entrance - The entrance to Soltan Sanjar Mausoleum is an exact square with an impressive entrance decorated with tiles. 2. Ornate ceramic tiles - The walls of the mausoleum still feature some of the original exquisite and intricately detailed ceramic tiles. 3. Great domed ceiling - Inside, a great domed ceiling of blue tiles, with stars radiating from a central design, towers above the visitor. 4. Beautiful stucco - The walls are covered with colourful stucco decorations, one of which is a beautiful peacock flanked by two lions. 5. Removable iron cage - On the outside, a large iron cage protects the structure, and it was added by the Soviets to protect it from earthquakes. It can be removed in order to show the building in its full glory. This national monument of Turkmenistan portrays the history and culture of the country.

History:

The Soltan Sanjar Mausoleum is located in Merv, in Turkmenistan, and is believed to be the burial site of Sultan Sanjar, the 12th Sultan of the Seljuk Empire. This mausoleum, built in 1141-1142 by the Seljuk ruler, Sanjar, is one of the largest examples of Seljuk architecture in Central Asia. The mausoleum is an octagonal, four-room building which stands at a height of 40 meters. The walls, covered with intricate patterns and inscriptions, are made of brick and limestone. The details of the mausoleum include an open square courtyard, a number of alcoves, Turkish and Persian inscriptions, thick wooden doors, a marble dome, and arches. The mausoleum stands as a site of religious and cultural significance, though it presents a collision of religions; inscriptions of Koran appear alongside Zoroastrian images that were placed here by Sanjar. Since the mausoleum was built, it has been an attraction to both local and visiting pilgrims and travelers, and has drawn visitors for centuries. In the 16th century, the mausoleum was renovated by the ruler Abul-Fath Khan, and in the 19th century, it was renovated by the Emir of Bukhara. The mausoleum received significant damage during a devastating earthquake in the 1950s, and was later renovated by the Soviet government. After Turkmenistan gained its independence in 1991, the mausoleum underwent further restoration work and was made open to tourists. Today, the mausoleum is a World Cultural Heritage Site listed by UNESCO, and is considered a symbol of Turkmenistan’s ancient past. In 2021, the mausoleum is open to the public, and locals and tourists can visit to learn about the long and storied history of the mausoleum as well as the World Heritage Site that stands here today. You must visit one of these historical places in Turkmenistan on your Turkmenistan tour

Interesting facts:

1. The Soltan Sanjar Mausoleum is a historic Islamic monument located in the city of Merv in Turkmenistan. 2. It is the largest mausoleum in Central Asia and is dedicated to Sultan Sanjar, a Seljuk Turk ruler who unified the empire of Persia from 1097 to 1157. 3. The structure was completed during the 12th century, and is composed of intricately detailed brickwork. 4. The mausoleum is decorated with blue ceramic tiles along its arches. 5. The design of the monument is based on the nine band motif, a symbol of Persian heritage. 6. The mausoleum stands at a height of 34 feet and is considered an important example of Islamic architecture. 7. The archaeological complex also includes a minaret, several mosques, an ancient bazaar, and the remains of a 12th century Islamic palace. Visit one of the famous monuments of Turkmenistan with your friends and family.