Pahlavan Mahmud Mausoleum

Pahlavon Mahmud maqbarasi

The mausoleum of Khiva's patron saint, a 14th-century poet and wrestler. Its turquoise dome and tile-covered interior rank among the city's most sacred and beautiful buildings.

Pahlavan Mahmud (1247–1326) is the most revered figure in Khiva. He was a poet and philosopher, an undefeated wrestler ('pahlavan' means strongman), and a furrier. Legend says he won the release of more than a thousand Khiva prisoners through a wrestling contest, and he is revered as the city's patron saint and the protector of wrestling. His mausoleum began as a simple small tomb, but in the early 19th century it was greatly enlarged and became the burial place of the Khan family. It has the largest turquoise dome in the city. The walls and ceiling of the tomb chamber are covered in blue and white tiles, inscribed in Arabic with four lines of his poetry. In the courtyard is a sacred well. Locals believe that drinking its water brings strength and good luck, so young men drink to ask for strength, and newlyweds often come to pray. Admission is included in the Ichan Kala combined ticket, with a small extra fee at certain times. The mausoleum is in the southern part of Ichan Kala, beside the Islam Khoja Minaret. It is a religious site, so keep quiet, dress modestly, and women should wear headscarves. Avoid loud talk or posing inside the tomb chamber.

Pahlavan Mahmud Mausoleum

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