In the 10th century, a man by the name of Mir-Sayid Bakhrom made a name for himself through his great wealth and donations as well his path towards mysticism. As a well traveled merchant along the Silk Roads and keen on history, Mir-Sayid’s legacy is kept alive through a beautiful, though small, mausoleum. Located in the small town of Navoi, halfway between Samarkand and Bukhara, and along the Karakum corridor, his mausoleum is in fact the smallest found in Uzbekistan. Let that not detract from its appearance though, as the detailed wood-work, marble towb, and square space makes for a peaceful visit.

When we visited, we were surprised to find ourselves the only visitors. Our local driver, living not far, was not even aware of its existence. Nonetheless, this small mausoleum is a focal point of pride for this small town. For the 10th century figure, not much is known about him beyond what was written, but the generations here that have passed down has kept his legacy alive. In 2023, this mausoleum was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as part of the Zarafshan - Karakum Corridor.