Wayne Eastep

One of Central Asia's largest domed mosques honors Hodja Akmed Yasavi, the 12th century Sufi mystic whose poetry and writings had tremendous impact throughout that part of the world. It was commissioned in 1390 by tamerlane, the Turkic conqueror, to honor Yasavi and serve as his mausoleum. The mosque was built in eight independent sections, which has helped it survive numerous earthquakes. the building measures 47.5 x 65.6 meters (152 x 215). Its walls are 2 meters (6.5 feet) thick and the central hall walls are 3 meters (10 feet) thick. The dome is 37.5 meters (123 feet) high and 18.2 meters (60 feet) in diameter. The dome is covered in glazed, patterned turquoise tiles. It is located in Turkestan in southern Kazakhstan.