Nedjmeddin Kubra Mausoleum
Nedjmeddin Kubra Mausoleum
Nedjmeddin Kubra Mausoleum
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Andrew M
7,589 contributions
Jul 2019
The Nedjmeddin Kubra mausoleum is a site of pilgrimage in Kunye Urgench. It is at the center of town of in a complex which used to be a graveyard. The complex is 2.5km north of the archaeological site and includes the Matkerim Ishan mausoleum, Konye Urgench museum, Sultan Ali mausoleum and the Piryar Vali mausoleum. Our best memory of visiting Konye Urgench, was our first sight of the mausoleum portals of Kubra and Ali seemingly bowing respectfully towards each other. We thought that it would likely fall in an earthquake, but were told that this was the construction design of the era. We remember seeing a few madrassahs in Bukhara that leaned in the same manner.
The face of the portal, had three blue tiled areas which were aged and in need of repair. The top of the portal was probably the most impressive, with deep blue and brown colours in alternating patterns on the sculpted area. The underside of the portal had a beautiful design of blue glazed tiles, and there were spaces where many had fallen off. There were three brick domes and white windows on the building. The door was wooden and seemed authentic.
On entering, it is necessary to be quiet and respect the worshipers, as this is considered to be the holiest place in the city. The interior was painted white and had two tombs, which were also white with blue and grey highlights. Some of these highlights had fallen off the tombs. An orange perimeter structure surrounded the tombs. It was strange to see a large tomb and a smaller one in the shape of a pulpit. The local explanation is that one is for the body of Kubra and one for his head.
Kubra lived between 1145 and 1221. There are varying reports on whether he was born in Urgench or Khiva. He became a famous religious teacher in Urgench, and was also known as a philosopher and chess master. He is most famous for founding the Kubravid school of Sufism. He was unfortunately one of the many persons beheaded by the mongols when they attacked the city in 1221. The mausoleum is said to have been built in the 14th century, but was damaged during the attack by Tamerlane, and had to be repaired.
It is one of the most memorable sights that you will see in Konye Urgench, and is a must visit. The nearby museum is a good place to learn about the ancient city before doing a tour. A new green mosque can be found a 10 minute walk south west of this site, and is named in Kubra's honour.
The face of the portal, had three blue tiled areas which were aged and in need of repair. The top of the portal was probably the most impressive, with deep blue and brown colours in alternating patterns on the sculpted area. The underside of the portal had a beautiful design of blue glazed tiles, and there were spaces where many had fallen off. There were three brick domes and white windows on the building. The door was wooden and seemed authentic.
On entering, it is necessary to be quiet and respect the worshipers, as this is considered to be the holiest place in the city. The interior was painted white and had two tombs, which were also white with blue and grey highlights. Some of these highlights had fallen off the tombs. An orange perimeter structure surrounded the tombs. It was strange to see a large tomb and a smaller one in the shape of a pulpit. The local explanation is that one is for the body of Kubra and one for his head.
Kubra lived between 1145 and 1221. There are varying reports on whether he was born in Urgench or Khiva. He became a famous religious teacher in Urgench, and was also known as a philosopher and chess master. He is most famous for founding the Kubravid school of Sufism. He was unfortunately one of the many persons beheaded by the mongols when they attacked the city in 1221. The mausoleum is said to have been built in the 14th century, but was damaged during the attack by Tamerlane, and had to be repaired.
It is one of the most memorable sights that you will see in Konye Urgench, and is a must visit. The nearby museum is a good place to learn about the ancient city before doing a tour. A new green mosque can be found a 10 minute walk south west of this site, and is named in Kubra's honour.
Written 9 September 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brun066
Florence, Italy13,327 contributions
May 2024 • Friends
Sufism, a set of mystical experiences into the Islam, is a complex cultural movement, like a trunk from which different traditions branch off, linked to as many brotherhoods, in turn founded in different times and places.
But in all reconstructions, the brotherhood (“tariqa”) called Kubrawiya is recognized as one of the most important. It was founded by Nedjimeddin Kubra, who therefore appears among the most eminent personalities of Islamic mysticism of all time.
He - as often happens to these Sufi sages - also has disparate knowledge, he was also a doctor, artist and military commander.
The mausoleum dedicated to him, in the city of Konye-Urgench where he spent a good part of his life and died (killed by the Mongols in 1221), represents a worthy homage to the holy man.
It stands in an area distant and separate from the other major sights of Konye-Urgench, also dotted with other mausoleums, ancient and recent. Built over a century after the death of Nedjimeddin - therefore in the first half of the 14th century - it presents itself as a building with several rooms (four), dominated by as many domes, which is accessed by a monumental portal (pishtaq) decorated with colored tiles, which draw fascinating patterns.
The most sacred room is obviously the one where the cenotaph (empty tomb) of Nedjimeddin stands, decorated with glazed, multicolored tiles. Indeed, there are two monuments: a regular one, intended for the body, and another, much smaller but higher (almost a small tower) for the head, indicating the place where, according to tradition, he was beheaded by the Mongols.
The room is frequented by quite large crowds of faithful, who make their way around the tomb, according to a ritual that we imagine as precise and faithfully observed. We discreetly observed this ritual, and in general the atmosphere of devotion that pervades the whole place.
But in all reconstructions, the brotherhood (“tariqa”) called Kubrawiya is recognized as one of the most important. It was founded by Nedjimeddin Kubra, who therefore appears among the most eminent personalities of Islamic mysticism of all time.
He - as often happens to these Sufi sages - also has disparate knowledge, he was also a doctor, artist and military commander.
The mausoleum dedicated to him, in the city of Konye-Urgench where he spent a good part of his life and died (killed by the Mongols in 1221), represents a worthy homage to the holy man.
It stands in an area distant and separate from the other major sights of Konye-Urgench, also dotted with other mausoleums, ancient and recent. Built over a century after the death of Nedjimeddin - therefore in the first half of the 14th century - it presents itself as a building with several rooms (four), dominated by as many domes, which is accessed by a monumental portal (pishtaq) decorated with colored tiles, which draw fascinating patterns.
The most sacred room is obviously the one where the cenotaph (empty tomb) of Nedjimeddin stands, decorated with glazed, multicolored tiles. Indeed, there are two monuments: a regular one, intended for the body, and another, much smaller but higher (almost a small tower) for the head, indicating the place where, according to tradition, he was beheaded by the Mongols.
The room is frequented by quite large crowds of faithful, who make their way around the tomb, according to a ritual that we imagine as precise and faithfully observed. We discreetly observed this ritual, and in general the atmosphere of devotion that pervades the whole place.
Written 1 June 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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