Mizdakhan - mu

mausoleum of Mazlum Khan Sulu

The impressive cemetry of Mizdakhan is situated near Nukus in the autonomous region of Karakalpakstan. The most remarkable monument is the 14th century mausoleum of Mazlum Khan Sulu. Muqarnas in the four angles of the square room make the transition to an octagon as the base for a dome.
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muqarnas in a first room

In the 45° muqarnas system a tiling based on squares and rhombuses is created in 2D. Based on ththis tiling layers are created in 3d, each standing on the precedent one. The thicker black lines in the floorplan mark the layers. Notice that they can run through the squares (orange) and rhombuses (yellow). In these cases the first part fills in the lower layer. The seconds has a standing side in the muqarna. At the edge of the muqarna ad hoc elements fill the triangle. At the top the 8-pointed star hasn't got standing sides.
View from the bottom at the muqarna with two layers and a half 8-pointed star.
View from the bottom at the muqarna with two layers and a half 8-pointed star.
drawing by Shiro Takahashi
drawing by Shiro Takahashi