Mausoleum of Khoja Abdi Darunee in Samarkand
Mausoleum of Khoja Abdi Darunee
The Mausoleum of Khoja Abdi Darunee, also known as Abdi-Darun or Abdu-Darun, is one of the most significant religious and architectural complexes in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. Located within the Old Cemetery of Samarkand, this ensemble of memorial, spiritual, and educational structures has evolved over centuries, from the 12th to the 20th century, around the grave of the renowned 9th-century Islamic jurist Abd-al Mazeddin. Today, the mausoleum stands as one of the most revered Islamic shrines in Central Asia, attracting pilgrims and visitors eager to explore its spiritual and architectural heritage.
Historical Background and Architectural Development
The ancient core of the Abdi-Darun ensemble is the 12th-century mausoleum. Over the centuries, various structures such as a khanaka, mosque, and madrasah were added, with major reconstructions carried out in the 15th, 19th, and 20th centuries, significantly reshaping the complex’s original appearance. Despite changes, the ensemble retains its spiritual significance and architectural grandeur.
The complex spans an area of approximately 125 by 70 meters, with its primary architectural elements arranged around a central courtyard measuring 25 by 25 meters. At the heart of the courtyard stands an octagonal house, shaded by plane trees, adding a serene atmosphere to the sacred space.
Architectural Features and Layout
On the northern side of the courtyard lies the madrasah, whose hujras (student cells) and functional rooms face inward toward the central space. The eastern side is lined with a flat-roofed aivan supported by elegant wooden columns, characteristic of Samarkand’s traditional architectural style.
The western boundary features the guzar mosque, a striking example of late 19th and early 20th-century Samarkand folk architecture. The mosque comprises a square winter prayer hall and a summer L-shaped aivan. The coffered wooden ceiling of the aivan is adorned with vibrant polychrome paintings, while the walls are decorated with intricately carved ganch, showcasing the artistry typical of that period.
The Mausoleum and Khanaka
The southern section of the complex houses the mausoleum of Khoja Abdi, along with an adjoining khanaka and additional side structures. The mausoleum itself is a cubic chamber capped by a conical dome resting on a low octagonal drum. Its interior is notably austere, featuring plain white alabaster walls and ceiling, evoking a sense of solemnity and tranquility.
Attached to the mausoleum, the khanaka features a portal-dome composition. The entrance portal, which was once higher and crowned by a decorative gallery of lancet arches, adds grandeur to the structure. The massive dome, clad in vibrant blue tiles, rests upon a high cylindrical drum, creating an impressive silhouette against the Samarkand skyline. The exterior of the khanaka is adorned with glazed bricks forming geometric girih patterns on the portal and epigraphic motifs encircling the drum of the dome.
Inside, the base of the khanaka’s walls is decorated with a blue ceramic panel, accented by a central mosaic featuring a multi-petal rosette, adding a subtle yet elegant detail to the otherwise understated interior design.
Religious Significance and Local Traditions
Among the people of Samarkand, a widespread belief holds that walking around the Mausoleum of Khoja Abdi Darunee seven times during Kurban Khait (Eid al-Adha) is equivalent in merit to performing a pilgrimage to Mecca. This belief underscores the mausoleum’s profound spiritual significance within the Islamic community and its enduring role as a sacred site for worship and reflection.