Gallery
Description
Property Name: Tomb of Sultan Sanjar
Inventory No: 993-522-1
Date of infill of the inventory form: 2008-06-17
Country (State party): Turkmenistan
Province: Merv
Town:
Geographic coordinates: 37° 39′ 51.51″ N
62° 9′ 49.8″ E
Historic Period: 12th century, 1st half
Year of Construction:
Style: Seljuk
Original Use: Mausoleum
Current Use: Mausoleum
Architect: Mukhamed Bini-Atsyz as-Sarakhsy
Significance
One of the most outstanding monuments from the Sarakhs school of architecture in Seljuk Period is the mausoleum of Sultan-Sanjar in Merv, designed by Mukhamed Bini-Atsyz as-Sarakhsy and built in the middle of the 12th century. This monument is one of the architectural masterpieces; it is a natural synthesis of functional and artistic features, combining qualities such as inventive technique, exact composition, indissoluble unity of details and integrity, simplicity and harmony of decor.
Selection Criteria
iv. to be an outstanding example of a type of building, architectural or technological ensemble or landscape which illustrates (a) significant stage(s) in human history
vi. to be directly or tangibly associated with events or living traditions, with ideas, or with beliefs, with artistic and literary works of outstanding universal significance
State of Preservation
The building was recently restored between 2001 and 2004 by the Turkish International Cooperation and Development Agency, therefore it is in a good state.
References
Rossi-Osmida, Gabriele (ed). Turkmenistan Environment, History, Monuments, Etnography and the Aral Sea, Centro Studi Ricerche Ligabue, Rome, Turkmenistan, 1996.
Sayan, Yüksel. Türkmenistan’daki Mimari Eserler: XI-XVI. Yüzyıl (Architectural Monuments in Turkmenistan: 11-16th centuries), Kültür Bakanlığı, Ankara, 1999.