The Mausoleum of Khoja Mashhad is one of the most remarkable and historically significant architectural monuments in Tajikistan, and indeed in all of Central Asia. Located in the southern Khatlon province, this complex is a rare and beautiful example of a pre-Mongol Islamic madrassa (a religious school), dating back to the 11th-12th centuries. The site is most famous for its stunning “double mausoleum”—two large, identical domed structures made of baked brick. As one of the very few buildings of its kind to have survived the Mongol invasions, it stands as an invaluable testament to the sophisticated architecture and culture of the early Islamic period in the region.

Name and Address

• Name: Mausoleum of Khoja Mashhad (also spelled Khodja Mashad).
• Address: Located in the village of Sayod, approximately 6 kilometers south of the town of Shaartuz, in the Khatlon Province of Tajikistan. It is situated in a remote area near the borders with Afghanistan and Uzbekistan.

How to Get There

The mausoleum is located in a remote, off-the-beaten-path region of Tajikistan, making it an adventurous destination to reach.

• By Car/Taxi (Essential): The only practical way to visit is by hiring a private car with a driver, usually from the regional capital of Bokhtar (formerly Qurghon-Teppa) or as a long day trip from Dushanbe. The journey from Dushanbe can take 3-4 hours one way.
• Visitor Tip: The site is on the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List. It is a quiet and seldom-visited place, offering a very authentic and peaceful experience. As it is a sacred site, remember to dress modestly.

Landscape and Architecture

The “architecture” of Khoja Mashhad is a stunning example of early Central Asian Islamic design, characterized by its unique twin-domed structure and masterful brickwork.

• The “Double Mausoleum”: The most iconic and best-preserved feature is the pair of identical, large, domed buildings that stand side-by-side, connected by a small vaulted arch. This unique twin structure is what makes the site instantly recognizable.
• Baked Brick Construction: The two mausoleums are constructed entirely of baked bricks, a testament to the skill of the medieval builders. The brickwork is exceptionally fine, with decorative patterns, including a “fir-tree” design, created through the careful placement of the bricks. This virtuosity in brickwork is a hallmark of the pre-Mongol architectural style.
• The Madrassa Complex: The twin mausoleums were the centerpiece of a much larger madrassa. The rest of the complex, including a large rectangular courtyard and the student cells (hujras) that surrounded it, was built from less durable mud-brick. Today, only the low-lying ruins of these structures remain, giving a sense of the original scale of the school.
• Interior: Each of the two domed buildings is a large, square chamber. The domes are supported by squinches and have openings at the top to let in light, illuminating the vast, empty spaces that now contain several tombstones.

What Makes It Famous

Khoja Mashhad is famous for its extreme rarity and its unique architectural form.

• A Rare Pre-Mongol Survivor: Its primary claim to fame is its survival. The Mongol invasions of the 13th century were incredibly destructive, and very few major buildings from the pre-Mongol era remain standing in Central Asia. Khoja Mashhad is one of the most significant of these survivors.
• Unique Twin-Domed Architecture: The “double mausoleum” design is architecturally unique and visually striking.
• Connection to Nasir Khusraw: The madrasa is widely believed to be the place where the famous 11th-century Persian poet, philosopher, and Ismaili scholar, Nasir Khusraw, studied for several years. This links the site to one of the great intellectual figures of the Islamic Golden Age.
• A Place of Legend: According to local legend, the entire complex appeared miraculously in a single night, a story that adds to its mystique as a sacred place of pilgrimage.

Differences from Other Wonders

The Mausoleum of Khoja Mashhad offers a unique experience that sets it apart from other historical sites in Tajikistan.

• Pre-Mongol Authenticity vs. Timurid Grandeur: Khoja Mashhad’s architecture is from the 11th-12th centuries. This is a completely different style from the later, grander, and more colorful tile-covered monuments of the Timurid era, such as the Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi in Kazakhstan. Khoja Mashhad’s beauty is more austere, expressed through the masterful use of brick.
• An Original Ruin vs. a Reconstructed Fortress: Unlike the Hissar Fortress, which has been extensively and heavily reconstructed in modern times, Khoja Mashhad is an original medieval structure. While parts of it are in ruins, what remains is authentic, offering a more genuine glimpse into the past.
• A Madrassa vs. a Fortress or Shrine: The site’s primary function was as a madrassa—a center of learning. This is different from the military and administrative purpose of Hissar Fortress or the purely spiritual focus of a pilgrimage shrine like the Mausoleum of Arystan Bab.