Great Samarkand, you were the center of the Eastern civilization. People knew about you all over the world. They looked up to you and were proud of you. And even if hundreds years ago you, an ancient city, were the center of sciences, and now a living museum, your fame still thunders all over the world.
Your story began so long ago that it’s hard even to imagine when. In the distant VIII-th century BC, you began your story, what makes you one of the oldest cities in the world that have survived to this day, on a par with the legendary Rome.
In ancient times, you were the capital of Sogdiana, which is mentioned in the Avesta.
In the III-rd century BC you were conquered by Alexander the Great and received the name of Marakanda.
IV and V-th centuries were marked for you by the oppression of nomadic tribes, and in the VI-th century you were comprised as a part of the Ephthalite empire.
In the 8-th century, you were conquered by the Arabs and became part of their powerful caliphate.
The IX-th century brought you a new prosperity — you became the capital of the Samanid state and an important cultural and religious center of the region.
Under the Karakhanids, you became a scientific center of the entire Mesopotamia.
In the XI-th century, you became a part of Khorezm and your influence in the world continued to grow.
However, everything collapsed overnight with the arrival of the brutal army of Genghis Khan. The barbarians have ravaged and destroyed you almost to the ground – only a few buildings remained.
All the hardships and misfortunes did not break you, and already in the XIV-th century you not only regained your former greatness, but also increased it. During the reign of the Temurids, your most magnificent monuments that have survived to this day were built.
The 16th century became a turning point for you — the Sheibanids took you in the battle, making you the capital of the Bukhara Khanate.
In the 18th century, you were devastated by the troops of the Iranian ruler Nadir Shah and for a long time could not recover from this trouble. Only under Mangyts dynasty – by the end of the 18th century, you began to revive.
In the middle of the 19th century, you were annexed to the Russian Empire, and during the Soviet era you became a tourist center for residents of the Land of the Soviets and some foreigners.
After Uzbekistan gained its independence, tourism in Samarkand became available to every inhabitant of the Earth. In 2001, many of your monuments were included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Is there anyone, who doesn’t dream of a sightseeing trip to Samarkand? You, the ancient city, are filled with magnificent monuments:
Guests leave a lot of reviews about you, the great city. And during a private trip or group tour everyone finds what is to his own interest and like.
You are always beautiful and attractive, the city of legends. In any month of the year you will delight your guest with your excursion routes:
Time on your streets, Great city, is not only relaxation, but also a real touch to history. Wanderers rush to you by airplanes from Russia, Turkey and Tajikistan, trains from Kazakhstan and all the same abovementioned Russia and Tajikistan. Visitors from other countries on vacation have to make transfers to reach you, but each of them understands that such a trip is worth any waiting.
Canaan Travel agency invites you to visit Uzbekistan and its most famous city — Samarkand. Rich Samarkand tour, a comfortable hotel and tourist transport will be selected by our tour operator in Samarkand and included into your travel package. And all this at the best prices.