Sheykh Zayniddin-bobo Mausoleum

In the waning years of the 14th century, a mausoleum was erected in Kukcha to honor the memory of Zayniddin-bobo, a directive that came from none other than Amir Temur himself. This mausoleum, alongside the chilla-hona, draws visitors not only for its historical significance but also for its spiritual resonance. The chilla-hona, dating back to the 12th century, stands as the oldest operational edifice in contemporary Tashkent. Beneath layers of plaster and refurbished floors lie the original bricks, silent witnesses to the era of Zayniddin-bobo.

The enigma of the Zayniddin-bobo cell unraveled in the early 1990s when restoration efforts revealed its function as a rudimentary observatory, a place where the celestial dance could be observed. The cell’s design, featuring strategically placed apertures in its domes, aligns with the Tashkent meridian. The alignment forms an angle with the horizon that corresponds to the sun’s zenith over Tashkent during the summer solstice. From within this ancient cell, one can witness the sun’s journey across the sky and the nocturnal ballet of the stars at a specific time each year. Niches carved into the walls point to the eight principal directions, further underscoring the cell’s unique astronomical purpose. This singular observatory, known in antiquity as the Hill of the Wise, is unparalleled in the world, a marvel that intertwines spiritual devotion with celestial observation.

Legends abound about the Zayniddin-bobo cell, including whispers of a subterranean passage that once connected it directly to the mausoleum of Kaffal-Shashi. The Sheykh Zayniddin-bobo Mausoleum is not merely a relic of the past; it is a living chronicle of a man who bridged the realms of the divine and the cosmos, whose influence shaped the spiritual and intellectual landscape of Tashkent for centuries to come. Visitors to this hallowed site are invited to step into a narrative steeped in devotion, wisdom, and the quest for celestial understanding—a narrative that continues to inspire and enlighten those who walk its ancient paths.