- Ajami Nakhchivani
school of architecture. The influence, which he has rendered on his contemporaries and followers, is reflected in monuments of Azerbaijan's architecture.
Architecture
Yusif ibn Kuseyir tomb One of the ancient monuments created by Ajami is the Yusif ibn Kuseyir tomb, known as "Atababa". The
ayats (verses) fromKoran are inscribed on the walls of the monument. Date of construction of this mausoleum (1161-1162 AD) was defined from its traditional built-in plate - kitaba (khutba ). This eight-sided mausoleum consists from the undergroundplinth burial place (sardaba) and its onground top. Each side of this construction is decorated with various ornaments.Momine Khatun Mausoleum Masterpiece of Ajami is the Momina-Hatun's mausoleum, also known as the Atabey's Cupola - Atabei Gumbazi. Mausoleum is constructed in honor of Momine Hatun who is supposed to be wife either of Atabey Shamsaddin Eldegiz himself, or of his son Jahan Pehlevan. The date, indicated on walls, tells us that this ten-sided monument was constructed in 1186-1187 AD. Surface of each side is completely covered by the ornaments. In spite of the fact that the upper parts of a structure have some destruction, its height today is more than 25 meters. Here exists an underground vault and burial place - sardaba.
One of those creations of Ajami, which partially survived up to now, is an architectural ensemble near the Momina Hatun Mausoleum. The main building had been destroyed sometime ago, only two minarets and a Portal connecting them have remained. This portal was constructed in 1187 AD. In opinion of the researchers, this composition of two minarets and a portal was originally planned and designed by Ajami. The Khanagah mausoleum in Nakhchivan strongly differs from what we already have described. While the Momina Hatun Mausoleum and other similar monuments are structures of a tower type, Khanagah mausoleum is a structure of the mixed type: its lower part has the cubic form and upper is eight-sided. Ornaments show us that the mausoleum was made in 12-13th centuries.
Nakhchivan Juma Mosque Nakhchivan Juma Mosque monument belongs to Middle Ages as well, and it was also constructed by architect Ajami Nakhchivani ibn Abubakr, and is one the monuments of Atabeyler architecture complex. It was conserved in the destroyed condition by 19th century.
Other Facts
"Memar Ajami" station in Baku metropolitan was named in honor of him.
References
* [http://azerbaijan.aznet.org/azerbaijan/nakh_arc.html Monuments of Nakhchivan Architecture]
* [http://www.iranica.com/newsite/articles/v1f7/v1f7a029.html Encyclopedia Iranica. Ajami.]
* [http://natigtravel.tripod.com/id15.html Photos of Nakhchivan]
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