Shir-Kabir Mausoleum

Just 6 kilometers from the ancient ruins of Dekhistan lies the historic Mashad necropolis, a revered Muslim burial ground centered around the famous mausoleum of Ali ibn Sukkari, also known as «Shir-Kabir.»

The Shir-Kabir mausoleum-mosque is a masterpiece of the esteemed Serakh architectural school. Its walls, constructed from square mud bricks, were intricately adorned with carved ganch featuring swirling patterns, leafy designs, and Kufi inscriptions, all highlighted in deep shades of blue, red, and pistachio green.

Shir-Kabir is sometimes referred to as the «mosque on wooden columns» and holds the distinction of being the oldest surviving mosque in Turkmenistan. The mosque’s most unique feature is its intricately carved mihrab—a chapel pointing towards Mecca—comprising three nested niches, underscoring the mausoleum’s dual function as both a place of worship and a tomb.