Shahrisabz (Шаҳрисабз)

Shahrisabz, or Shakhrisabz, is historically known as Kesh, or Kish. It used to be an important center of the Persian Achaemenid Empire. The name Shahrisabz translates as 'Green City'. The medieval old part of Shahrisabz is included in UNESCO's list of world heritage sites. The amount of ruins in Shakhrisabz suggests that it was probably even more beautiful than Samarkand in its heyday. In 2015, however, large parts of the city and many interesting buildings were destroyed to make room for tourist facilities, which might lead to the listing to be removed.

Shahrisabz was the birthplace of the 14th-century Turco-Mongol conqueror Amir Temur.

Points of interest

Temur's Ak-Saray Palace is completely in ruins, except for parts of its entrance that was covered with blue, white and gold mosaics. It was constructed over a period between 1380 and 1404, to serve as the summer palace for conqueror Temur. It was then known as the 'White Palace' and it featured 65 m tall gate-towers, the remains of which can be climbed for excellent views over the surrounding area. Looking at the remnants, you can imagine what an enormous size and beauty the complete palace must have had.
The bazaar in Shahrisabz dates from the 18th century.
The medieval baths.
The huge Kok Gumbaz Mosque is part of the Dorut Tilovat Complex. The mosque was inaugurated in 1437 and its name refers to its blue dome.
Immediately behind the Kok Gumbaz Mosque is the House of Meditation mausoleum. It was completed in 1438, but nobody was ever buried there.
East from the Kok Gumbaz Mosque is the mausoleum complex of Hazrat-i Imam. It is also known as Dorus-Saodat, or Dorussiadat (Seat of Power and Might) and it contains the Tomb of Jehangir, who was the eldest son of Amir Temur. There is a mosque right next to the mausoleum. The remains of the complex suggest it might have even been greater than the Ak-Saray Palace.
The Tomb of Temur is located behind the Hazrat-i Imam complex. It consists of a subterranean chamber that holds a casket, which was intended to Temur, but he was never buried there. Instead 2 unidentified corpses were dscovered there, after the tomb was opened in 1943. Amir Temur himself was buried in Samarkand.
The Shahrisabz Museum of History and Material Culture is also known as the Amir Temur Museum of Shahrisabz. It was founded in 1996 and its exhibits include archaeological, ethnographic and numismatic artefacts that were discovered in archaeological digs. The museum's collection includes thousands of mosaic, majolica, ceramic, copper, iron and wooden carved items. The museum is located in the historic center of Shahrisabz.
A statue of Temur stands in front of the Ak-Saray Palace.

Around Shahrisabz

the village of Kumyrtepa sits on the Shurabsay River. There are 3 hills, not far north from the village that constitute the 3 parts of the ancient city of Nautaka.
The ancient city of Nautaka consistsed of 3 distinctive parts
- Padayaktepa was the citadel of Nautaka. It is located in the north of the ancient city, on a high, rugged bank of the Shurabsay River. The oldest part dates from the 9th century BC and it used to include defensive walls and an acropolis. When the rule of Alexander the Great came to an end, Nautaka was largely abandoned, but people continued to live in the acropolis.
- Sangirtepa was home to the temple of Nautaka. This area of Nautaka used to be located outside of the city walls. The ruins can be seen some 650 me southwest of Uzunkyr. The temple sat on an 8 m high hill and was enclosed by a wall. Archaeological work has been ongoing there since 1983 and the temple that was uncovered is one of the oldest religious structures in Central Asia. It features a central hall, an altar and auxiliary rooms.
- Uzunkyr was the actual city, where its inhabitants used to live. Remnants of its fortifications can be seen in the form of a broad mound, not far from the present-day village of Kumyrtepa. The original walls were erected during the 10th century BC.
After Nautaka was abandoned, a new city was established on the Aksu River. This new city is located within the boundaries of contemporary Kitab.

Shahrisabz is located in the south of Uzbekistan. It has bus connections with Samarkand, 80 km to the north and it is about 330 km southwest of Tashkent. There are several hotels and restaurants in town.

Hotels in Shahrisabz

Images

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