Chashmai Ayub Mausoleum

Chashma-Ayub - The Spring of Holy Ayub. The Mausoleum of Chashma-Ayub is a historic religious site located in the center of Bukhara. It consists of a mausoleum and a sacred spring. The structure was originally built in the 12th century during the rule of the Karakhanids (also spelled Qarakhanids). In the 14th century, Tamerlane brought master craftsmen from Khorezm to expand and enhance the building. The mausoleum is named after the Prophet Ayyub—known as Job in the Bible. According to legend, during a period of severe drought, the people of Bukhara prayed to Allah for relief. Their prayers were answered when Prophet Ayyub passed through the area. He struck the ground with his staff, and a spring of clear, healing water emerged. The grateful residents named it Chashma-Ayub, meaning “Spring of Holy Job.” To this day, locals believe the water has curative properties. The mausoleum, built directly above the spring, features domes of various sizes. The main chamber is topped with a distinctive tent-shaped double dome, a style uncommon in Bukhara. The smaller chambers, with their subdued lighting, add a mystical atmosphere. Today, the site houses a Water Museum and Carpet Exhibition, showcasing the history of irrigation and water management in the Bukhara region.

This mausoleum is situated near Samani Park. According to legend, the water from the well can heal sickness. We tried to turn the tap but there was no water there. It's also a mini museum as well informing us of the history of water supply of Bukhara. Quite near to the market too.

In the northeast corner of the Samonids Recreation Park is the Chashmai-Ayyub ("Job's Well") Mausoleum. According to legend, the prophet Job (Arabic: Ayyub) visited Bukhara during a time of great drought and wanted to help the local people. He struck the ground with his staff and a spring of cool water immediately sprang up. The clear, pure water is still considered to have healing properties. The Chashmai-Ayyub is also a mausoleum, and is said to house the tomb of Job. However, there are five other sites that claim to have Job's tomb there. There are actually several tombs in the building, the oldest of which is the tomb of theologian Khwaja Hafiz Gunjari from 1022. The mausoleum is a mixture of styles, having been built in three phases. The first phase of construction dates back to the 12th century when the Karakhanid ruler Arslan Khan ordered the construction of the section with the conical dome. In 1380, during the time of Amir Timur (Tamerlane), a first expansion followed and the last construction phase took place in the 16th century, when the Shaybanid Khan Abdullaxon II had the mausoleum thoroughly renovated and expanded. Today, in addition to tombs and the spring, the building very appropriately houses a small water museum. An interesting piece of (Biblical) history.

After Ismail Samani Mausoleum we headed to visit Chashmai Ayub Mausoleum. That was my 1st there and I really loved it. It’s interesting museum (I would call museum, not mausoleum) about the water system and supply of the area in the past. Very interesting indeed.

Chashma Ayub Mausoleum, which purportedly marks the spot where Nabi Ayub A.S. struck the arid ground and a spring of pure drinking water miraculously burst forth, saving his followers when those around them were dying of thirst. The city grew up around this holy site, and this may be a reason why the city's early Jewish community chose to settle here. In the days before Bukhara even existed, a millennium before Islam even arrived, Nabi Ayub A.S. came to the Zerafshan Valley and witnessed a great and terrible drought. As people perished of thirst around him, Nabi Ayub struck the dusty earth and a cool source of sweet spring water brought liquid salvation. Sudden appearance of a well had astonished the people by its vivifying spring and its crystal clear water. The Chashma Ayub or the Spring of Job, commemorates this site. It is commonly believed that the water still keeps its clearness and herbal power. The Chashmai Ayub Mausoleum is a mere walking distance from the Samanids Mausoleum, and one should take the opportunity to visit this historical site.

Bukhara is simply overwhelming with extraordinary sights and historic constructions such as this Mausoleum which is also is located near the Samani Mausoleum. So do both at the same time. The name of this Mausoleum means Job's well, due to the legend in which Job visited this place and made a well by striking the ground with his staff. The water of this well is still pure and is considered healing

An exquisite masterpiece of Islamic architecture.

I did not go inside the museum but rather sat outside and did the weekly Bloomberg quiz - Pointed. I did not get particularly luckily nor unlucky, so I would consider this a neutral place.