Siab bazaar is situated on a big square before Bibi-Khanim Mosque near to the main city gates. Siab bazaar is the biggest and the most ancient bazaar in the city. It offers plenty of fruits and vegetables grown at the fertile Zarafshan valley. Pyramids of water-melons and melons, haversacks with walnuts, raisins and kuraga -
Ulugbek’s Observatory was constructed on Kukhak hill due to Mirzo Ulugbek’s order in 1428-1429. The most important achievement of astronomers from Samarkand is starts catalogue made by them so-called “Zidj of Ulugbek” or “Zidj Gurgony”. The value of that catalogue is that there are the coordinates of 1 018 stars. Astronomers of Samarkand spent long time
Khodja Daniyar Mausoleum (Prophet Daniel or St.Daniil) is situated on the northern side of Afrasiab hill, by the healing spring. According to the legends, Khodja Daniyar was a companion of Kusam bin Abbas, who was believed to be a relative of the Prophet and one of the first Islamic preachers in the Central Asia. Other
Rukhabad Mausoleum is one of the earliest preserved constructions in Samarkand of Amir Temur’s epoch. It was built in 80th of 14th century at the same line with burial vault of Amir Temur. Both buildings had been united by the wonderful shady avenue and a track covered with marble tiles. Mausoleum was constructed above the
Khazrati Khizr Mosque is situated on the southern side of Afrosiab hill, on the crossroad near the central bazaar. Khazrati Khizr was a legendary Islamic saint and eternal wanderer, cult of which goes deep to before Islamic times. It was considered, that a meeting with Khazrati Khizr can be unexpected and always brings happiness to
Memorial complex Imam Al-Bukhariy is located 12 km far from Samarkand. Here, the mosque was built above the tomb of Mohammad bin Ismail Bukhariy. Imam Al-Bukhariy was born in 8th century in Bukhara, but he died and was buried near Samarkand in 870. From childhood he was interested to hadises. He began collecting and writing
Shahi-Zinda necropolis (“living king”) appeared out of funeral complex where it was buried a cousin of Prophet Kusam bin Abbas who died in the battle with infidels. This is the oldest architectural monument of Samarkand related to the middle of 11th century. It was a huge religious center not only for middle aged Samarkand, but
Registan Square ("sandy place") is an administrative and trade-craft center of Samarkand. Registan was completely constructed in 17th century and consists of three madrasahs – Ulugbek (1417-1420), Sher-Dor (1619-1636) and Tillya Kari (1647-1660). From northern-eastern side there is a trade structure Chorsu which was built in 18th century. Six radial streets cross at Registan and
Bibi-Khanim Cathedral Mosque was a construction of public importance embodying feudal power of the state and religion. Bibi-Khanim Mosque (“older wife”) also was called a Friday mosque of Samarkand and thousands Muslim men came here to pray. Originally the mosque was built in 1399-1404 by Amir Temur’s order after his return from Indian campaign. The mosque
Guri Emir Mausoleum (“emir’s tomb” - tomb of the governor Amir Temur) is a place where Amir Temur and his sons and grand-sons are buried. Originally, the mausoleum was built for Temur’s grand-son Mohammad Sultan who died early in 1403 during military campaign. Being shocked by the death of loved grand-son who expected to be