Sultan Sanjar Mausoleum

The Sultan Sanjar Mausoleum, often referred to as «Dar-al-Akhyre» or «The Other World,» stands as the most impressive architectural masterpiece of Merv. It is a vivid testament to the Seljuk Empire’s greatest achievements and period of prosperity. Situated at the heart of the ancient Sultan-Kala settlement, the mausoleum is surrounded by grand structures, including the palaces of Seljuk rulers and a mosque.

The Sultan Sanjar Mausoleum, with its towering cubic structure, is a marvel of medieval architecture, often described as a «medieval skyscraper.» The building is crowned by a two-tiered dome, encased in turquoise, which gives the impression of floating in the air. Beneath the dome, three levels of galleries with intricate openwork arches further enhance its grandeur. The dome itself symbolizes the firmament, creating an ethereal presence that dominates the landscape. The mausoleum’s architecture is renowned for its perfect harmony and symmetry. The walls, which are thick at the base, span 27 meters in length, while the structure rises to an impressive height of 38 meters.

This monumental structure was commissioned by Sultan Mu’izz ad-Din Sanjar, and it became his final resting place in 1157. However, during the Mongol invasion of 1221, when Merv was besieged, Sultan Sanjar’s remains were reburied in an unknown location, leaving the tombstone in the mausoleum empty. Despite this, the Arabian inscription on the facade of the mausoleum reads: «This place is ennobled by the remains of the one who was called Sultan Sanjar, a descendant of the Turks-Seljuks… He was the Alexander the Great of his time; a patron of scholars and poets, and under his rule, the Islamic world flourished in prosperity and happiness through science and the arts.»

Today, the mausoleum is a revered site of pilgrimage for thousands of believers and serves as the main attraction for foreign tourists visiting Merv.