Gur-Emir Mausoleum (“the tomb of the king») Gur Emir Mausoleum – is, bearing the cylindrical tower topped with fluted dome. Walls of the octagonal building trimmed with white, light blue and blue tiles, on the background of unglazed bricks, combined in geometric ornament. The apparent simplicity of design guessed solemnity and monumentality of the architecture […]

To the north-east of Samarkand, at the foot of a hill Chupa-Ata in 1908, thanks to found ancient documents, the ruins of the Ulugbek Observatory were discovered by Samarkand archaeologist V.L. Vyatkin. The excavations, which lasted for many years and ended only in 1948, suggest that the found Observatory is the largest astronomical facility of […]

Mausoleum of Khoja Daniyar (St. Daniar), Daniyar (Daniel) — one of the most admired and most controversial relics of Samarkand. This saint is equally revered in Islam, Christianity and Judaism, but his ashes got to Samarkand land. First, there is some prehistory. Khoja Daniyar was born in the holy Jerusalem in 603 BC and came […]

Bibi Khanum («senior wife») One of the most beautiful legends in the history of Samarkand surrounds the mosque of Bibi Khanum (Bibi Khanim). It says that the beloved wife of the emperor — Bibi Khanum decided to please her husband (Tamerlane) returning from a victorious campaign preparing expensive gift ordered to build a mosque; that […]

Siab Bazaar Like any orient city, Samarkand is simply obliged to have its famous bazaar! And there is one in Samarkand a unique and amazing. We will begin with, the current urban market — Siab, located at the historic site between the mosque of Bibi Khanum complex and Shokhi Zinda, a short walk from the […]

Registan Square (“sandy place”) Registan – is the soul of the historic center of Samarkand, emerged long before Mongol invasion, and was based as a place for crafts and trade at the intersection of six roads leading to the civic gates. Registan complex is an ensemble of three stately buildings that served as educational institutions: […]

Silken and gold-woven tufted products from the ancient time created the glory of the famous «Oriental carpet». As a rule they were made for the royal dynasties and the high-level elite. They also were portrayed for the foreign government missions and distinguished nobles as a precious gift, because they cost a fabulously expensive. Silken carpets […]