DZHUCHI MAUSOLEUM

UCHI MAUSOLEUM is an architectural monument built in the XIII century. It is situated in Ulytau district of Karaganda region in 50 km to the North-East of Dzhezkazgan. According to legend, elder son of Chingiz Khan - Dzhuchi - is buried in the Mausoleum. In 1982 the Mausoleum was included in the list of historical and cultural monuments specially protected by the state.

The Mausoleum has a proscenium-domical structure; the height of the doorway is 7.90 m. The monument is built from burnt brick (26x29x5 cm) and is covered with a double-shell dome. The external dome was destroyed. Earlier it was supported by a stellar 17-faceted drum and was decorated with tiles and turquoise coating. The inner shell of the dome spanning a square room bases on arched squinches. There is a tomb in the room. The floor of the mausoleum is bricked. The interior is illuminated by two arched holes in the side rooms. Clarity and simplicity are the main features of both external and inner interior.

Dzhuchi Mausoleum is mentioned for the first time in works of Khafiz Tynysh (XVI century). In 1946 an archeological expedition headed by A. Margulan found out two tombs in the Mausoleum. According to the scientists, one of them belongs to Dzhuchi and second tomb belongs to his wife Bektumysh.

Source: Kazakhstan National Encyclopedia. Volume 2