Ak-Saray Palace Palace

Address: Ak-Saray Palace ruins, near Shahrisabz, Qashqadaryo Region, Uzbekistan

Ak-Saray Palace is the ruined late 14th-century royal palace built by Timur in the historic city of Shahrisabz in southern Uzbekistan. It is best known for the remains of a monumental tiled gateway that once formed the palace’s ceremonial entrance.

Surviving fabric includes large brickwork platforms, the fragmentary facade of the main pishtaq and extensive decorative tile fragments. The original gateway was an imposing architectural element and the ruins remain the dominant visible feature on the palace site.

Timur commissioned the complex in the late 1300s as part of his building programme in Shahrisabz; the palace was never fully preserved and fell into ruin over succeeding centuries, suffering damage from earthquakes and later alteration.

The site stands in Shahrisabz in Qashqadaryo Region, roughly in the same part of southern Uzbekistan associated with Timur’s birthplace, and is accessed from the town centre.

• Date and status: Constructed in the late 14th century under Timur and forms part of the historic core of Shahrisabz, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

What to See#

• Great Gate (pishtaq): The monumental gateway or pishtaq of the palace complex, originally faced with glazed tilework and forming the main ceremonial entrance.

Ak-Saray is located close to Shahrisabz, about 40-50 km south of Qarshi. Shahrisabz is accessible by road from Samarkand (about 80-90 km) or by bus and shared taxis; from Shahrisabz the site is a short taxi ride.

• Visit early to avoid mid-day heat and to photograph the palace's monumental portal in soft light.
• Bring insect repellent in warmer months; the region's vegetation can host many insects.
• Combine with nearby ruins and museums in the region to appreciate Timurid and later architectural developments.