The brick front
A deep arch and green panel.
Yakov Fedorov — CC BY-SA 3.0 · upyernoz from Haverford, USA — CC BY 2.0 · upyernoz from Haverford, USA — CC BY 2.0 · upyernoz from Haverford, USA — CC BY 2.0 · upyernoz from Haverford, USA — CC BY 2.0
The Karakhan Mausoleum is an 11th-century monument in the centre of Taraz, one of Kazakhstan's oldest cities and a Silk Road stop. It is a site of national importance holding the grave of a member of the Karakhanid dynasty, and popular legend ties it to the story of Aisha Bibi, so locals and visitors alike come here. It was built over the grave of Shah Mahmud Bughra Karakhan, according to the Kazakh archaeology register, though sources vary on some of the names. The building has not survived in its original form: in 1906 the Tashkent ishan Said Beckhanov rebuilt it, keeping the structural idea but losing much of the old decoration, and it was restored again in 2002. Today you see a red-brick building with a tall front and deep arch, a green ceramic panel in Arabic script above it, and a carved timber door. Inside is a cenotaph draped in white and green cloth with inscriptions. A small park with shady trees and a decorative fence surrounds it, and a modern madrasa with green arches stands next door. It stands at the junction of Tole Bi and Baizak Batyr streets, within easy walking distance in the centre, and about 16 km in a straight line from Aisha Bibi. A quarter of an hour is enough. Dress modestly, remove your shoes if asked and keep your voice down, as people come here to pray.
A deep arch and green panel.
Carving at the entrance.
Trees and a decorative fence.
Tole Bi and Baizak Batyr streets, central Taraz
No. It was rebuilt in 1906, losing much of its old decoration, and restored in 2002.
Popular legend ties it to Karakhan, Aisha's betrothed in her story.