Gur-e-Amir Mausoleum
Tomb of Timur and his descendants, begun in 1404.
A tomb for a grandson
Timur commissioned Gur-e-Amir in August 1404 not for himself but for his grandson and heir Muhammad Sultan, who had died in 1403. Timur himself died in 1405 and was buried here together with members of his family.
Sources: https://iranturan.leiden.edu/cities/samarqand-2/the-gur-i-amir-mausoleum-late-14th-early-15th-century/, https://www.britannica.com/topic/Gur-e-Amir
The ribbed dome
The octagonal building is crowned by a ribbed dome covered in turquoise tile mosaic.
Sources: https://iranturan.leiden.edu/cities/samarqand-2/the-gur-i-amir-mausoleum-late-14th-early-15th-century/
Cenotaphs above, graves below
The cenotaphs in the main hall are symbolic. The actual burials and tombstones lie in the crypt beneath the hall.
Sources: https://iranturan.leiden.edu/cities/samarqand-2/the-gur-i-amir-mausoleum-late-14th-early-15th-century/
The entrance Ulugh Beg added
In 1425 Timur's grandson Ulugh Beg added a gallery on the east side. It still serves as the main entrance to the mausoleum.
Sources: https://iranturan.leiden.edu/cities/samarqand-2/the-gur-i-amir-mausoleum-late-14th-early-15th-century/