Ensemble · Shahrisabz City
Historic Centre of Shahrisabz
Kesh, Timur’s birthplace and a UNESCO site
Bazaar · Shahrisabz City
Chorsu Trading Dome (Shahrisabz)
A 16th-century trading dome in the historic centre, built as a covered market at the crossing of the old town’s four main streets.
Photo: Mushtariy15 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
History and layout
Chorsu is Persian for “four sides”, the name given in Central Asian towns to domed bazaars at the junction of main streets. The Shahrisabz Chorsu was built in the 16th century under the Shaybanids. Four arched passages meet beneath a large central dome, with small shops arranged around it.
The building is part of the UNESCO-listed historic centre and of the Shahrisabz museum-reserve created in 2019. It stands on the route from Ak-Saray to Dorut Tilovat.
Similar 16th-century domed arcades survive in Bukhara, such as Toqi Zargaron and Toqi Telpak Furushon. In a hot climate they sheltered traders and shoppers from the sun and were the hub of urban life.
Sources (3)
Photos
Ensemble · Shahrisabz City
Dorut Tilovat Ensemble
A Timurid family shrine and Ulugh Beg’s Blue Dome
Ensemble · Shahrisabz City
Ak-Saray Palace
What remains of Timur’s colossal palace in his home town
Mosque · Shahrisabz City
Kok Gumbaz Mosque (Shahrisabz)
The Friday mosque Ulugh Beg built in his father’s name
Madrasa · Shahrisabz City
Chubin Madrasa (Shahrisabz History Museum)
The town museum in a madrasa by the old timber market
Mausoleum · Shahrisabz City
Shamsuddin Kulol Mausoleum
Resting place of Timur’s spiritual guide and his father
Mausoleum · Shahrisabz City
Gumbazi Sayyidon Mausoleum
The “Dome of the Sayyids”, built by Ulugh Beg for his dynasty
Mausoleum · Shahrisabz City
Jahangir Mausoleum
A cone-domed tomb for Timur’s favourite son
Ensemble · Shahrisabz City
Dorus-Saodat Ensemble
The family mausoleum Timur built for himself and his sons
Mausoleum · Shahrisabz City
Crypt of Timur
The tomb Timur prepared for himself, which stayed empty