Sultan Sanjar's mausoleum, Medieval mausoleum in Bayramaly City, Turkmenistan
Sultan Sanjar's Mausoleum is a medieval burial chamber standing alone on an open plain, rising to about 38 meters with a cubic foundation supporting a large barrel-shaped dome. The interior holds the remains of the Seljuk ruler, accessible through passages that cut through the thick stone walls.
Construction of the mausoleum took place in 1157 to honor the Seljuk ruler Ahmad Sanjar and his legacy in the region. Severe damage occurred when Mongol forces under Tolui conquered the area in 1221, destroying much of the original dome and other features.
The mausoleum displays fragments of its original blue and red decorative bands in the upper section, serving as a reminder of the artistic skill that once adorned it. Visitors walking around can observe how these color traces frame the lower parts of the dome.
The structure sits in open terrain with no surrounding buildings or barriers, allowing visitors to walk around it freely and examine all sides at close range. The flat desert landscape offers little shade, so planning a visit during cooler hours and bringing protection from the sun is worthwhile.
The outer dome was originally sheathed in turquoise tiles that could be spotted from a distance of a full day's journey across the desert, making it a gleaming landmark. Today that brilliant covering has vanished completely, and the building presents a much more austere appearance.
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