MAUSOLEUM OF THE PROPHET DANIEL
Set on the edge of the Afrosyab cliff overlooking the Syab River, the long, five-domed mausoleum would have a most soothing view if a factory hadn't been built just below it. He was abandoned for a very long time. In 1996, Patriarch Alexis, passing through Uzbekistan, came to visit the tomb of St. Daniel. The "Mausoleum of the Prophet Daniel" is indeed the only place in Samarkand that attracts and gathers pilgrims from the three monotheistic confessions: Muslim, Christian and Jewish. It was built at the beginning of the 14th century by Tamerlan, who brought back the bones of the saint from his campaign in Asia Minor. Eugene Schuyller, in 1873, although he does not mention the mausoleum, reports that hermits had lived in caves in the cliffs of Afrosyab. It is probably one of those caves that can be seen right next to the mausoleum and which was used as a millikhana. The grave is no less than 18 m long! It is said that the bones of the saint continue to grow a few centimetres each year. At the head of the tomb, one can see ornamental elements of Koranic calligraphy engraved in the stone. At the foot of the steps, near the river, a small domed building houses a holy water source. The believers make their ablutions there and quench their thirst. Outside the moments of pilgrimage, it is a cool, very calm and soothing place where it is good to stop for a few moments on the way back from Afrosyab's visit.
