Ismail Samani Mausoleum

the tomb of the Samanid dynasty in Bukhara (in the Uzbek SSR), an outstanding architectural monument of Middle Asia (around A.D. 900). The mausoleum is distinguished by the combination of solid monolithic architectural forms with the clearly defined ornamental pattern of the brickwork. The building, which is in the form of a cube, was constructed with inexpensive light, burnt brick. It has a vaulted gallery with small domes at the corners and a large dome supported by an eight-sided interior drum. In the center of each facade is an arched niche with an aperture. The basic design of the Ismail Samani Mausoleum was widely used in Middle Asian architecture in subsequent centuries.