Ak-Saray Palace
{{short description|Historical site in Shahrisabz}}
{{Infobox building
|name= Ak-Saray Palace
|image= Ak_Serai_Palace,_Shakhrisabz_(490496).jpg
|caption=
|map_type= Uzbekistan
|coordinates = {{coord|39|03|39|N|66|49|45|E|display=it}}
|location_town= Shahrisabz
|location_country= Uzbekistan
|architect=
|construction_start_date=1380
|completion_date= 1404
|date_demolished=
|cost=
|structural_system=
|style= Architecture
|size=
}}
Ak-Saray Palace is a ruined palace and historic site in Shahrisabz, Uzbekistan. The palace was built at the beginning of the Timurid period, between 1380 and 1404,The final construction date mentioned, 1404, is that on an information plate on the gate. It is consistent with the fact that the Spanish ambassador Ruy González de Clavijo, in 1404, points out that the work was not completed. under the reign of Timur. In 2000, the palace was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
History
Timur was born near Kesh, as Shahrisabz was then called, and wanted to make the city the capital of his empire instead of Samarkand. So he had a mighty palace built here. Construction of the castle began in 1380 and lasted 24 years until 1404, just before Timur's death.
In the 16th century, Shahrisabz along with Ak-Saray Castle were destroyed by the forces of Abdullah Khan II, the Khan of Bukhara. After Uzbekistan gained independence, conservation works were carried out between 1994 and 1998. A colossal statue of Timur was erected on a high pedestal on the original site of the palace.
Architecture
File:30 Shakhrisabz Ak Seraj (7).JPG
The remains Ak-Saray Palace lie to the north of the historic center of Shahrisabz in a park near the north gate in the city walls. Above all, the remains of the {{convert|38|m|abbr=on}} high pylons of the former portal, whose vault had a span of {{convert|22|m|abbr=on}}, have been preserved.Pander: Zentralasien, 2004, S. 236 The facade is decorated with large patterns of ocher and dark blue and light blue glazed bricks. A scroll bears the inscription "God prolong the Sultan's days." The arcaded main courtyard of the palace with a water basin was {{convert|120-125|m|abbr=on}} wide and {{convert|240-250|m|abbr=on}} long.{{cite web|url=http://sanat.orexca.com/2002/2002-1/history_art3-2/|title=The architectural masterpieces of the emerald city|work=San'at magazine|date=2002-01-01|language=en|accessdate=2016-12-04}} It was surrounded by buildings, one of which is said to have been six stories high. The number and size of other farms could not be determined due to destruction in the 16th century.
Notes
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References
{{Reflist|33em}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Aksaray Palace}}
Category:Buildings and structures completed in 1604
Category:Archaeological sites in Uzbekistan
Category:Palaces in Uzbekistan
Category:Islamic architecture in Asia