Ayakkamyr, the mausoleum

It is located 9 km north-west of the village of Zhezdy, on the left bank of the river Zhezdy (Ulytau district, Karagandy region).

Ayakkamyr mausoleum is one of the most famous monuments of Central Kazakhstan and an outstanding work of architectural art of the medieval era, the construction of which contributed to the formation of the traditional architectural style of the XI-XII centuries. It is connected with the settlement of Ayakkamyr and is located 300 m to the west of it.

Very little information, legends and tales about this monument have been preserved. The researcher G.G. Gerasimov notes in his work: "No legends pointing to the appearance of this mausoleum have been preserved among the local population. Ayakkamyr is the oldest mausoleum in the area, which can be judged by its ruined condition. It is attributed another name - Temirkutluk, while in 15-16 km from it there is a second mausoleum, more unsightly in appearance, bearing the same name. Which of them rightfully owns the name Temirkutluk, it is difficult to judge, as we do not have any historical sources in this regard. The mausoleum was first described in the middle of the XIX century by Sh. Ualikhanov and academician A.I. Shrenk. According to the description, the mausoleum is supposedly named after Khan Kamyr, but the history of this name is unknown. According to the assumption of academician A. Kh. Margulan, the mausoleum was built as a tomb of Chingizid Kutlug-Timur.

The mausoleum belongs to the portal-dome type of tombstones. The total dimensions are 8.10×9.84 m, the height of the stone foundation is 1 m. The mausoleum was severely damaged. By the end of the XX century, only the entrance gate and four walls with half-clotted crescent patterns were preserved. In the center of the main facade, processed as a monumental portal, there is a deep niche, covered with a slender wedge-shaped arch, framed by a slightly recessed U-shaped strip. Behind the arch is a rectangular door. The facade of the mausoleum is decorated with slightly protruding columns and ornaments typical of the style of the time. The side sections of the portal wall adjoining the niche frame are vertically dissected by blades and recessed strips designed for installation of ornamented terracotta slabs, fragments of which were found in the rubble near the mausoleum. Burned bricks of 26 x 26 x 5 cm and 28 x 28 x 5 cm were used in the construction.

In 1982, the Ayakkamyr mausoleum was included in the list of historical and cultural monuments of national importance and placed under the protection of the state.