Kutlug Timur Minaret

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The Majestic Kutlug-Timur Minaret

Central Asia's Tallest Architectural Marvel
Kutlug Timur Minaret
Kutlug Timur Minaret

Rising to an impressive height of 62 meters, the Kutlug-Timur Minaret stands as the tallest architectural structure in Central Asia. This remarkable monument surpasses the famous Islam-Khodja Minaret in Khiva by seven meters and is nine meters taller than the Hast-Imam Mosque Minaret in Tashkent.

This grand structure, a testament to medieval architectural prowess, is part of the UNESCO World Heritage site in Kunya-Urgench, Turkmenistan, which includes various architectural, archaeological, religious, and cultural landmarks. Nearby, the ancient Mausoleum of Sultan-Tekesh adds to the historical significance of the area.

Constructed from ceramic bricks, the minaret takes the form of a slender, conical column. It was named after Kutlug-Timur, the Khan of the Golden Horde who ruled from 1395 to 1399.

The minaret’s tall, elegant shaft features eighteen bands adorned with intricate patterns and three bands of Kufic Arabic inscriptions. These inscriptions display the names of Kutlug-Timur and Uzbek-Khan, the Golden Horde ruler from 1313 to 1341.

Kutlug Timur Minaret
Kutlug Timur Minaret
Kutlug Timur Minaret
Kutlug Timur Minaret
Kutlug Timur Minaret
Kutlug Timur Minaret

Access to the minaret’s summit is provided by a spiral staircase comprising 145 steps. This staircase was originally accessible only from the roof of a mosque that once stood adjacent to the towering minaret, though this mosque no longer exists.

A noticeable tilt near the top of the minaret is attributed to either earthquakes or fires, which may have caused uneven heating of the masonry. Historically, a wooden lantern at the minaret’s peak was destroyed in one of these fires.

While the minaret lacks the elaborate decoration typical of Central Asian minarets from the 11th and 12th centuries, it excels in its bold design, impressive height, and slender proportions.

There is ongoing scholarly debate about the minaret’s precise age. Most researchers agree that the minaret was constructed during the reign of Kutlug-Timur, following his commission. However, some experts propose that the construction might have begun as early as the 11th century.

Gutleg Timur Minaret

Kunya-Urgench Tour

From$130
6 hours

Journey through Kunya-Urgench’s ruins
Admire medieval Islamic architecture
Visit Turabek-Khanum Mausoleum
Discover Kutlug-Timur Minaret
Learn at Khorezm History Museum

Explore the ancient city of Kunya-Urgench, once a flourishing hub of trade and culture. Visit preserved Islamic monuments, grand mausoleums, and historic sites that tell the story of a once-great civilization now frozen in time.
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