Overview:

is a 13th-century mausoleum located in the modern city of Konye-Urgench, Turkmenistan. Built by Khan Tekesh (1181–1230), it is located close to the grave of the 11th-century Seljuk ruler Mahmud of Ghazni, and other monuments in the Central Asian city. It is made of burnt brick and its walls are decorated with inscriptions and decorative motifs. The mausoleum is an important example of medieval Islamic architecture, and was included as part of the Historical Centre of Urgench on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1995. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Turkmenistan
Prominent Features:

The Sultan Tekesh Mausoleum is located in Konye-Urgench, an ancient city along the Silk Road, in present-day Turkmenistan. It is located a few kilometers south of Dashoguz and about 500 kilometers northeast of Ashgabat. The mausoleum was built in 1234, shortly after Sultan Tekesh’s death and is the final resting place of the Khorezm Shah. The mausoleum is a stunning example of medieval Muslim architecture, with bright blue and turquoise marble dominating the facade and intricate floral patterns decorating the walls. Inside, the mausoleum contains many mosaics, including a floral patterned dome set atop four corner towers. The interior hallway and rooms are decorated with bright colors, and paisley and geometric designs. The mausoleum also contains one of the most impressive burial crypts in Central Asia, a grand domed structure with four pillars resting within an ambulatory. The crypt contains two tombs, one for Sultan Tekesh and one for his son, Arslan Khan. The mausoleum is considered one of the finest examples of Islamic architecture in Central Asia, and is a must-see for anyone interested in the history and culture of the region. This national monument of Turkmenistan portrays the history and culture of the country.

History:

Located in Konye-Urgench (Turkish: “Göne-Ürgänc”), in the Dashoguz Province of Turkmenistan, the Sultan Tekesh Mausoleum is a monument that honors the 12th century Seljuk Sultan Tekesh. It is one of the most significant Islamic monuments in the region, along with the nearby Kutlug-Timur Minaret. This mausoleum was first erected in 1248, when Sultan Tekesh ruled the region. Built in a style typical of Seljuk architecture, the mausoleum stands 26 meters high and is constructed of baked bricks. The structure is decorated with inscriptions in Kufic calligraphy, which include passages from the Qur'an. It features two chambers, one with an arched roof and one with a domed roof. The walls are hand-painted and decorated with inscriptions about Sultan Tekesh's life and deeds. This mausoleum is believed to be the first of its kind, as earlier mausoleums such as the Hazrat-i Abu Bakr in Merv were rectangular in shape. Sultan Tekesh's Mausoleum is also considered to be one of the earliest Islamic monuments to incorporate a dome, which was the traditional architectural form for tombs in the medieval Middle East. Over the centuries the mausoleum has been damaged by earthquakes and other calamities, but efforts have been made to preserve and restore it. In 2005, it was thoroughly renovated and was appointed as a regional cultural monument. The Sultan Tekesh Mausoleum includes a museum and is a popular tourist destination. You must visit one of these historical places in Turkmenistan on your Turkmenistan tour

Interesting facts:

1. The Sultan Tekesh Mausoleum is the largest extant Islamic mausoleum in Central Asia, located in the city of Konye-Urgench in western Turkmenistan. 2. The mausoleum was built for Sultan Tekesh, ruler of the Khwarezm (Khiva) Empire, who died in 1231. 3. The mausoleum is noted for its elaborate mosaics, carved stonework, and ornate marbling. 4. The stonemasonry was done by skilled craftsmen from Bukhara and Samarqand. 5. The mausoleum is part of an edifice known as the Tekesh Mausoleum Complex, which also consists of the mausoleums of four of Sultan Tekesh's sons, and several other smaller monuments. 6. The complex was constructed as a unified structure in order to demonstrate the grandeur of the Khwarezm Empire. 7. The mausoleum was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005. 8. The mausoleum has been the object of extensive research since the 1960s and has been restored a number of times since then. 9. The mausoleum is the only surviving structure from the Khwarezm Empire. Visit one of the famous monuments of Turkmenistan with your friends and family.