Ismail Samani mausoleum

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The Ismail Samani Mausoleum (892 to 943), western from the centre, is the oldest monument in Bukhara. Presumably it was a family tomb of the Samanid dynasty (819-1005) called after Ismail Samani, the most renowned ruler of the dynasty. The monument is the oldest remaining islamic tomb in Central-Asia with references to Zoroastric fire temples. The decoration is realised by only arranging bricks and shows the ample possibilities of brickwork, some centuries before the use of glazed tiles.
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Technically it's the first monument in Central Asia that uses cantilever constructions to make the transition from square to octagon as the base for a dome, preceeding the use of muqarnas.
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