Both a poet and a warrior, Pahlavan Mahmud became the patron saint of the city of Khiva upon his death in 1325. His mausoleum, originally modest, was embellished and enlarged by his disciples and heirs, who were eager to be buried at his side in a prestigious setting, but also in order to welcome growing numbers of pilgrims. The turquoise dome and the glazed ceramics describing fine arabesques with plant motifs on the walls of the prayer hall are astonishingly beautiful.