Shah-i-Zinda grew around the burial place of Kusam ibn Abbas, a cousin of the Prophet Muhammad, said to have been martyred here during the Arab conquest in the 7th century. The shrine became a place of pilgrimage, and from the 11th century onward rulers and elites built tombs along the path up the hillside. The core of the surviving ensemble dates from the late 14th and 15th centuries, when Timur and his family added mausoleums for female relatives, commanders and clergy.
The entry portal was built in 1434-1435 by Ulugh Beg. Behind it, a stairway of 36 steps leads into a narrow street of tombs, with facades covered in carved terracotta, glazed brick and majolica in blue, turquoise and white. Several mausoleums are named after women of the Timurid house.
The complex was damaged during the Mongol era, restored in the Timurid period and again in the Soviet and post-independence periods. It remains an active shrine, and visitors should behave respectfully.
| Admission | About 50,000-80,000 UZS (~$4.20-6.70) for foreign visitors |
|---|---|
| Hours | Daily, about 08:00-19:00 |
| Address | Shohizinda Street, Afrosiyab, Samarkand, Uzbekistan |
Why it matters
A continuously used pilgrimage site and the finest surviving ensemble of Timurid glazed-tile architecture.
Location
Shohizinda Street, Afrosiyab, Samarkand, Uzbekistan
39.6625, 66.9878 View on map
Highlights
- Entry portal of 1434-1435 by Ulugh Beg
- Stairway of 36 steps
- Carved terracotta and glazed majolica facades
- Active pilgrimage shrine
Tips for visiting
- Dress modestly.
- Ask before photographing worshippers.
- Visit early to avoid crowds in the narrow alley.
When to visit
Early morning.
Accessibility
Stairs and uneven paving limit wheelchair access.
Frequently asked questions
Who is Kusam ibn Abbas?
A cousin of the Prophet Muhammad, traditionally buried here.
When were most tombs built?
Mainly in the 14th and 15th centuries.
How many steps lead in?
A stairway of 36 steps.