Mirali Mausoleum

Mirali mausoleum (Azerbaijani: Mirəli türbəsi) is a historical and architectural monument located near the necropolis dating back to the Middle Ages between the Kurdlar and Ashaghi Veysalli villages in the Fuzuli district. There is no information about whom the monument is dedicated to, who the architect and commissioner are, and the exact construction date. The monument was included in the list of nationally significant immovable historical and cultural monuments by the decision of the Cabinet of Azerbaijan on August 2, 2001, with the number 132.

Mirali Tomb is covered with stone slabs and has a cylindrical shape. Over time, the surface of the cylinder has taken on a beautiful golden tone, covered with strong stones. Stones were also used in the construction of the tomb, and the wall is built in neat rows.

History

There is no inscription on either the underground or above-ground parts of the tomb indicating its history, architect, or dedication. Ivan Sheblykin notes that "the architectural form, sensitivity in the choice of materials, and the characteristics of the polished stone used in construction suggest that the structure was built no later than the XIII–XIV centuries."

The tomb shares similarities with the Shikh Baba Tomb located in the village of Shikhlar in the Jabrayil district in terms of architectural features.

Sheblykin, who researched the monument, recorded the legend about the construction of the tomb from the locals in the Kurdlar village of Fuzuli:

In the plain of Mil-Mugan, a renowned master, along with his apprentice, is engaged in the construction of the Prophet's tomb. At that time, they request the apprentice to build a tomb near the Veysalli village. Without obtaining the approval of his master, the apprentice takes on the task. After completing the work on the Prophet's tomb during the day, the young apprentice starts working on the Mir Ali tomb at night, implementing the construction throughout the night. During the day, he returns to assist in the construction of the Prophet's tomb alongside his master. After a while, the construction of the Mir Ali tomb finally comes to an end. News about the magnificent new dome spreads far and wide, reaching the ears of the master craftsman. The master sets out to see the new building. Upon arriving at the location, he stands quietly for a long time, observing the beautiful work. Assessing the character and style of the work, as well as other distinctive features, the master understands who the architect of the monument is. Dark jealousy and anger find their way into the master's mind and heart, leading him to cut off the hands of the apprentice.Sheblykin mentions that this legend is widely spread in the region and has been reflected in various sources, associated with different monuments in different periods and through different narratives. For example, the construction legend of the Svetitskhoveli Cathedral in the city of Mtskheta also reflects the cutting of the hands of the architect. In Nizami Ganjavi's poem "Seven Beauties," the talented architect Simnar, who built a magnificent building, is thrown from it and killed. The architect of the Sheki Khan's Palace is also blinded after completing the construction.

Location

The monument is marked on old topographic maps under the name "Argali-gumbaz."

The tomb is constructed on the top of a high peak nestled among the foothills, and it appears prominently from a distance, as if seamlessly blending with the natural extension of the summit. Especially during sunset, the tomb, built from white stones, seems to shimmer, capturing attention against the dark background of the mountains. On sunny days, the tomb's distinct silhouette contrasts with the blue sky.

The original form of the monument, the sharpness of its lines, beautiful silhouette, proportional parts, and the refinement of details attract attention at first glance. In the expansive area at the top of the hill where the tomb is constructed, there is a broad cemetery. The hill where the tomb and cemetery are located is situated between the Kurdlar and Ashaghi Veysalli villages in Fuzuli.

Aboveground part

The Mirali Tomb has a cylindrical shape covered with stone slabs, and over time, the surface of the cylinder has acquired a beautiful golden tone due to the use of strong stones. The facing stones have undergone a high level of stone-cutting processes, and special attention has been paid to aligning the stones, making the joints virtually invisible.

The perimeter of the tomb's body measures 15 meters and 75 centimeters, and the thickness of the walls of the above-ground part is equal to 80 centimeters. The body of the tomb rises on a stone foundation consisting of three layers of courses; the projection of the lower course of the body relative to the tomb's body is 30 centimeters. The overall height of the building is 45 centimeters.

The body of the tomb is characterized by a regular horizontal arrangement, and the heights of the stone courses vary: 34, 38, 44, 41, 37 centimeters, etc. Only one course of stones, which is the same height as the entrance door, has a height of 14 centimeters. In total, there are twenty-two courses of stones in the body of the tomb, forming a cornice-like structure.

The volume of the cylinder is completed with cornices slightly projecting beyond the general body of the tomb in the upper part. Above the cornice, the dome of the tomb is situated. Nevertheless, without an immediate transition to the dome line, the cornice and the conical dome continue as a delicate line, ensuring the emphasis on the cornice when viewed from a distance. This elegant design solution highlights the tomb's sophisticated and delicate architecture, expressed through simple and laconic forms.