Yusif ibn Kuseyir Mausoleum, Medieval mausoleum in Nakhchivan, Azerbaijan.
Yusif ibn Kuseyir Mausoleum is an octagonal structure built with small baked bricks arranged in geometric patterns, topped by a pyramid-shaped roof. The building stands about 17 meters (55 feet) tall and features decorative details across its surfaces.
The structure was built in 1162 by the architect Ajami Nakhchivani during a flourishing period of medieval architecture in the region. This period marked a high point in the development of brick construction techniques and architectural innovation in Nakhchivan.
The building displays Islamic religious texts carved into its brick walls using Arabic Kufic script. This integration of sacred writing into the structure itself reflects how faith and craftsmanship were united in medieval sacred architecture.
The site is easily accessible on foot and the structure is fully visible from the outside. Visitors get the best view of the decorative details by walking around the entire building and observing it from different angles.
One of the eight sides of the building is distinctly different from the others, featuring the entrance door and its own set of geometric brick patterns. This asymmetry in an otherwise symmetrical design makes the structure architecturally intriguing.
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