39°46′28″N64°20′4″E / 39.77444°N 64.33444°E /39.77444; 64.33444
Chor-Bakr is a memorial complex in the village of Sumitan at 5 km ofBukhara inUzbekistan, built over the burial place ofAbu-Bakr-Said, who died in the year 360 of theMuslim Calendar (970–971 AD), and who was one of the four of Abu-Bakrs (Chor-Bakr) – descendants ofMuhammad. The complex includes thenecropolis of family tombs, and courtyards enclosed with walls.[1]
The Chor Bakr Memorial Complex, also known as Sumitan's cemetery, was established byShaybanid rulerAbdullaxon II in 1559, and it includes a mausoleum, amosque, amadrasa, and a large courtyard surrounded by high walls.[2][3] In the following centuries, additional buildings were constructed, and the complex was expanded to include adjacent areas. Abdullaxon II allocated 70,000 gold coins for the construction of this memorial complex.[4] The central building of the complex is themausoleum, which has doors on all four sides. Themausoleum has a two-story structure with two rooms and a domed chamber on top.[5] Themihrab (prayer niche) is located on the qibla side of themausoleum. The dome of the mausoleum is built in the Arki duzi style. The verses 61 and 62 ofSurah Al-Baqara are inscribed on the front facade of the mausoleum.[4] The courtyard measures 20 meters in length, while the front entrance is 12 meters wide.[4]
TheChor Bakr Madrasah in the Chor Bakr Memorial Complex is one of the highest-ranking madrasas and underwent renovation work in 1950, 1971, and 1999.[6] Themosque within the complex is elegantly designed and contains chambers in its front section. The SurahAl-Isra is inscribed on the front of the mosque.[7][4] The doors of themosque are made from the wood of the pine tree, native toBukhara. The minaret in the complex was constructed in 1890 by Mirzo Hoji Joʻyboriy and stands above the previous minaret's foundation.[7][4] The area of the complex covers 40 hectares, with the cemetery section occupying 12 hectares.[4] In the Chor Bakr Memorial Complex, there is also the mausoleum of Sa'dulla Khoja, which is located to the south of the central mausoleum. The mausoleum has three chambers on its eastern side. Inside the mausoleum, there are rooms and graves. In addition to this, the complex houses the mausoleums of Akobir Khoja, Nasriddin Khoja, Abdulaziz Khoja,Atoullo Khoja,Zaynab Sulton Khoja,Obid Khoja, Poshshooyim Khoja, Sa'dulla Khoja, and other khwajas (religious leaders).[4]
Many constructions in the complex have richly decorated polychromatic tiles.[1]
In many courtyards above burial places, marble gravestones with epigraphic inscriptions, and vegetative and geometrical ornaments, are installed.[1]
The structure of the complex includes 25 constructions : a khonaqo (hostel),mosque,Ayvan with khudjras (cells for studying), darvazahana (gate house),minaret, and 20 small objects – courtyards – burial places with the dome coverings, and separately standing portals. The territory occupies both a memorial and an ancient cemetery equal to 3 hectares.[1]
This site was added to theUNESCOWorld Heritage Tentative List on 18 January 2008, in the Cultural category. It was finally listed as a World Heritage Site in 2023 as part of theSilk Roads: Zarafshan-Karakum Corridor listing.[8]
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