Study of the Architecture of Ziyaratgahs – Sacred Sites of Samarkand

On February 20, 2025, a group of researchers from the International Research Institute of the Silk Road—Doctor of Architecture, Prof. Yusupova Mavlyuda Aminjanovna, and research fellows Naberaeva Maisara Akhmedzhanovna and Khudaykulova Fotima Inatullayevna—conducted a scientific expedition to the memorial and religious complexes of Samarkand as potential sites for inclusion in pilgrimage (ziyorat) tourism routes. During the research, they visited several significant monuments of high historical and cultural value: the Makhdoom-i A’zam Complex, dedicated to the prominent Sufi mentor; the Mausoleum of Imam al-Maturidi, the renowned theologian and thinker; the Mazar of Mawlana Darvesh, a disciple of Burhan al-Din Marghinani; the Makhdoom-i Khwarazmi Complex, associated with an important mentor of the Kubrawiya Sufi order; and the Khoja Safoyi Vali Complex – “Qalandarkhana,” which belonged to the Naqshbandi Sufis.

Additionally, they studied the eastern part of the former fortress of Amir Temur, known as Arki Oliy, examining the architecture of a well-preserved large European-style civil structure built in the “brick style” of the late 19th century. The team discussed plans for future archaeological and architectural research of the citadel to develop scientifically grounded recommendations for the preservation and museification of its remains.

The main objectives of the expedition were to monitor and analyze the current state of the monuments, assess their potential for inclusion in pilgrimage, historical, cultural, and tourist routes within Samarkand and the Samarkand region.