A unique ensemble of ancient tombs (1370-1449 years), is located near the ancient city of Afrasiab. It is also called street-cemetery. 

So oddly stretched on both sides of dilapidated buildings mosques and mausoleums XI-XV centuries, whose blue domes, runaway string away from the top look like an elegant necklace. 

 

Shahi Zinda - the burial place of royalty and nobility. But the main mausoleum, where they start necropolis is considered imaginary grave cousin of the Prophet Muhammad - Kusama ibn Abbas. His so-called "Shahi Zinda", which in Persian means "Live the King." He was one of those who preached Islam in the province later this complex became an important place of pilgrimage, revered by the people as a shrine. According to tradition, Ibn Abbas came to preach in Samarkand in 640, where he spent 13 years and was beheaded by the Zoroastrians during prayer. 

 

A brilliant page in the history of architecture of Samarkand and Shahi Zinda - a mausoleum built during the reign of Amir Temur, Ulugbek and other Timurids. Shahi Zinda today - one of the finest architectural ensembles in Central Asia, a monument of great historical, cultural and artistic value. This memorial, Necropolis art called "scenic", "frozen music", "harmony and light," a true anthem of human labor.

Noble contribution to folk artists, restorers Akram Umarov Mirkhamidov Yunusov, Shafi Iskhakova Anwar Guliyev and others, came back to life the creation of the architects of ancient times. 

 

The oldest core of the ensemble - Complex Kusama ibn Abbas, who rebuilt many times, was recreated at Amir Temur and supplemented with new elements until the XIX century. The door leading into the complex, completed a master Yusuf Shirazi in the 1404-1405 years. This beautiful work of art carving elm with unpreserved inlaid with ivory. Above the entrance is a large mosaic mural quadrangular with the inscription: "the prophet said ..." Al-Kusam ibn al-Abbas, most people like me appearance and character. "Behind the door is a minaret of the XI century," Facing the base of the minaret is made by a set of curly polished bricks characteristic for periodp.