Gur-Emir

Gur-Emir, Samarkand
  source: dic.academic.ru

The name of the man is linked to the fate of many countries and peoples of the Middle Ages, some saw him as a savior, and other cruel conqueror. Amir Timur, Tamerlane, "Iron hromets" - was one of the greatest generals and rulers, who according to legend, after death affects the lives of people. And in Samarkand there is his mausoleum - Gur Emir.
This magnificent building with a massive dome rises in the southwestern part of the city. Built in 1404, it is striking for its mosaics of glazed bricks of various shades of blue, sparkling in the sun. The tomb is one of the key in Islamic architecture: subsequently, by the example of the Gur-Emir Mausoleum was built Hameyuna and the Taj Mahal and other buildings of that era.
Initially, there should have been placed cultural and educational center, but soon after the death of Tamerlane's favorite grandson Muhammad Sultan, it was decided to convert the building to mausoleum. Later, the mausoleum became the burial place of the Timurid dynasty. Tamerlane himself is buried, his sons, his grandchildren, including the famous Mirzo Ulugbek. The only person not of the sort, was buried here - the teacher of Tamerlane - Mir Said Baraka.
Inside the mausoleum there are tombs, which are only symbols, these tombs and entombments are hidden in the basement of the mausoleum. Unique is a tombstone of Tamerlane - the largest piece of jade in the world. With this mysterious tombstone relates the legend of the deadly curse. On the tombstone it is inscribed: "Anyone who breaks my peace in this life or the next, will be subjected to suffering and die.
There is even a confirmation of the curse. June 21, 1941, Soviet scientists have uncovered the tomb of Tamerlane, and the next day fascist Germany attacked the Soviet Union. Only after the gravestone had been put back in accordance with all Muslim traditions, there had happened a turning point in the course of the Second World War – the Russians won the Stalingrad battle. Probably, this story is just a coincidence, but it is worthy to remember that Amir Temur was one of the cruelest conquerors of the world.
 

 

 


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