Gur-e-Amir, meaning Tomb of the King, was begun in 1403-1404 by Timur for his grandson and intended heir Muhammad Sultan, who died in 1403. When Timur himself died in Otrar in February 1405 while preparing a campaign against China, his body was brought to Samarkand and placed in the unfinished mausoleum instead of his own planned tomb. The building was completed by Ulugh Beg and the Timurid family as a dynastic burial place.
The tomb chamber contains the cenotaphs of Timur, with a large dark-green nephrite (jade) slab, as well as Shah Rukh, Miran Shah, Muhammad Sultan, Ulugh Beg and Timur's teacher, Mir Said Barakah. The graves are in a crypt below. The dome, ribbed and covered in turquoise glazed tile, rises on a drum above a tall portal, and the interior is gilded with papier-mache ornament and onyx dado panels.
In June 1941 Soviet archaeologists led by Mikhail Gerasimov opened Timur's tomb and found an inscription warning of invasion; Germany attacked the USSR two days later, a story that remains central to the site's lore. The mausoleum was restored in the Soviet period and again after independence.
| Admission | About 40,000-75,000 UZS (~$3.30-6.25) for foreign visitors |
|---|---|
| Hours | Daily, about 08:00-19:00 (shorter in winter) |
| Address | Gur-e-Amir, Akhmad Donish Street / Ak-Saray Street, Samarkand, Uzbekistan |
Why it matters
The tomb of Timur (Tamerlane) and of Ulugh Beg, the ancestral mausoleum of the Timurid dynasty and the prototype for later Mughal tombs such as Humayun's in Delhi.
Location
Gur-e-Amir, Akhmad Donish Street / Ak-Saray Street, Samarkand, Uzbekistan
39.6485, 66.9691 View on map
Highlights
- Cenotaph of Timur under a ribbed turquoise dome
- Tomb of Ulugh Beg, astronomer-ruler
- Dark-green nephrite slab and gilded interior
- Model for later Mughal tomb design
Tips for visiting
- Visit with Rukhabad and Ak-Saray next door.
- Dress modestly and keep quiet inside.
- Late afternoon light shows the dome best.
When to visit
Weekday opening or late afternoon.
Accessibility
Courtyard is level; the tomb chamber has a low threshold and one room.
Frequently asked questions
Who is buried in Gur-e-Amir?
Timur, Shah Rukh, Miran Shah, Muhammad Sultan, Ulugh Beg and Mir Said Barakah.
What was the 1941 opening of the tomb?
Soviet archaeologists opened Timur's grave in June 1941; legend links this to the German invasion two days later.
How long does a visit take?
30 to 45 minutes.