Cities: SAMARKAND
Great Samarkand is one of the oldest cities in the world, its age is over 2750 years. Samarkand is located in the picturesque valley of the Zarafshan River, surrounded by the Pamir-Alai Mountains. Alexander the Great, Genghis Khan and Amir Timur, who made Samarkand the capital of his great empire, wrote their names in the history of this famous city. Samarkand became the scientific and cultural center of the Middle East under the rule of Timur’s grandson, the “scientist on the throne,” Ulugbek.
Excursions in Samarkand – the ancient city, where the world-famous Registan Square and the Shahi-Zinda complex, where the cousin of the Prophet Muhammad is buried, are located. The city, known worldwide for the international music festival, unique Samarkand cakes and high-quality silk carpets!
The Guri-Emir Mausoleum (14 c.), is the heart of Samarkand, where the remains of the great commander Amir Timur, his sons Shahrukh and Miranshah, his grandchildren Ulugbek and Muhammad Sultan lies. Timur’s spiritual mentor Mir Said Baraka was also honored to be buried in this mausoleum. In fact, this is a very unusual place, being here will bring the feeling of the history of Samarkand.
On three sides of Registan Square there are three magnificent buildings: Ulugbek Madrassah (1417 – 1420), Sherdor Madrassah (1619 – 1636) and Tilla-Kari Madrassah (1647 – 1660). All these three madrassahs are directed by the portals to the middle of the square and form a coordinated ensemble composition. Each building is distinguished by its unusual decor – colored stone carving on the walls and portals. The blue domes above the madrassah are made of baked brick, and on the outside, they are decorated with glazed tiles that shine brightly and shimmers in the sun.
Bibi Khanum Mosque. Following a successful trip to India, Timur decided to build the largest and most unusual building of the East mosque for his beloved wife, Bibi Khanum. Shining walls, huge minarets, the portal of the mosque built and processed by carved marble glorified the name of Amir Timur and his beloved wife.
The continuation of the tour of Samarkand will begin with the Mausoleum of St. Daniel – this is a unique place of pilgrimage – the mausoleum of the spiritual guardian of Samarkand and the prophet of the three world religions – Hodga Daniyor (biblical prophet Daniel).
The ensemble of Shahi Zinda consists of eleven mausoleums that have been attached to each other in a row for 14-15 centuries. This unique and mysterious ensemble is located near the ancient city of Afrasiab. The ensemble is also called a graveyard street. The blue domes of the mausoleums, rushing in the distance into a chain, look like an elegant necklace from a bird’s-eye view.
Ulugbek Observatory. The Ulugbek Observatory is a vivid confirmation of the significant development of architecture, science and culture in the 14th-15th centuries in Central Asia.
