Description of the attraction
The architectural complex of Ishratkhon, from which now there are only ruins, once consisted of a central tomb, a mosque, several side rooms and a large domed corridor. Now you can see only the remains of the main mausoleum.
Ishratkhona was built near the most famous Registan Square in Samarkand in the second half of the 15th century. Its appearance is explained by several legends. According to one, Ishratkhona, which translates from Arabic as "Ten Rooms", was not a mausoleum at first. It was built by the ruler Timur at the place where he met a beautiful stranger, who immediately agreed to become his wife. Another legend tells that a representative of the royal family is considered the founder of this complex. She built a mausoleum over the tomb of her relative, also a princess. Since then, only women have been buried in Ishratkhon.
In 1940, the complex was investigated by archaeologists who found several female skeletons here. Even if the second version of the origin of the complex is true, another myth connects it with the name of the great Timur. Once Timur was feasting with his entourage right in the central room of Ishratkhona. At this time, Timur's grandson, the famous astronomer Ulugbek, was able to calculate by the stars that his grandfather was in mortal danger. He managed to gallop to Ishratkhona and kick everyone out of the building. As soon as the last person left the building, an earthquake struck and the vaults of the building collapsed. They say that since then the complex has been abandoned. The earthquake in 1903 caused even greater destruction.
