Gur-e-Amir. Samarakand.

Amir Temur Maqbarasi

Gur-e Amir translated, from the persian language...."Tomb of the King", Amir Timur, aka Tamerlane, a warrior king of the late 14th century, that's in normal time. Not sure what century it becomes in muhammad's world.

It is a complex containing the tombs of Timur, aka Tamerlane, his sons and grandsons, and weirdly Timur's teacher; Sayyid Baraka.

That sure beats an end of term gift of an out of date box of chocolates, or a plastic pot plant.

Major restoration was undertaken in the 1950's to the dome, main entranceway and minarets, with the replacement of the bright blue tiles and decoration.

The Curse of Timor

There was an inscription on the outside of the tomb, a warning to one and all which read

"When I rise from the dead, the world shall tremble"

In the mid 20th century, Soviet scientists and archeologists sought to open Timur's tomb; Samarkand was abound with rumour that opening the tomb would curse those involved. Attempts were made by local officials warning the excavation team of the risks.

The tomb was opened revealing a second inscription

“Whosoever disturbs my tomb will unleash an invader more terrible than I"

the tomb was opened on 20th June 1941...........

....two days later Germany invaded the Soviet Union.

Uncle Joe seemed to believe the curse and ordered Timur be reburied with full Islamic burial rites, which was undertaken....... shortly before the Soviet victory at Stalingrad.

Amir Timur himself wanted to be buried in a simple tomb in Shakhrisabz his home town, but his relatives had other plans and so he ended up here.

Don't forget peole. Make a will and state what you want, if you fail to prepare; you prepare to fail.

The traditional stone tombs are in fact purely decorative: the bodies are in fact buried in crypts beneath the floor.

Internally major restoration was undertaken throughout the 1970's

The curse of Grindle

I really have no fucking words to describe my fucking emotions.