The Ismail Samani Mausoleum (892 to 943), western from the centre, is the oldest monument in Bukhara. Presumably it was a family tomb of the Samanid dynasty (819-1005) called after Ismail Samani, the most renowned ruler of the dynasty. The monument is the oldest remaining islamic tomb in Central-Asia with references to Zoroastric fire temples. The decoration is realised by only arranging bricks and shows the ample possibilities of brickwork, some centuries before the use of glazed tiles.

Technically it's the first monument in Central Asia that uses cantilever constructions to make the transition from square to octagon as the base for a dome, preceeding the use of muqarnas.