Location: Samarkand
Top Things to do in Samarkand
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Top 10 Architectural Buildings in Samarkand, Samarqand Province
Samarkand (Uzbek Latin: Samarqand; Uzbek Cyrillic and Tajik: Самарқанд; Persian: سمرقند; Russian: Самарканд; Greek: Σαμαρκάνδη), alternatively Samarqand, is a city in modern-day Uzbekistan and is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in Central Asia. There is evidence of human activity in the area of the city from the late Paleolithic era, though there is no direct evidence of when exactly Samarkand was founded; some theories propose that it was founded between the 8th and 7th centuries BC. Prospering from its location on the Silk Road between China and the Mediterranean, at times Samarkand was one of the greatest cities of Central Asia.
Restaurants in Samarkand
1. Gur Emir Mausoleum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 769 reviews
The grave of Timur, built in 1404.
Reviewed By Moonamuslim
An impressive building in terms of architecture and artistic design - from the outside, but even more from the inside. Decorated and restored with great dedication down to the smallest detail. In good condition. The building includes the typical Uzbek turquoise / blue dome. The interior is wonderfully decorated. The walls are provided with hexagonal onyx tiles and is lavishly painted, the dominant colors are blue and gold. It looks amazingly great and makes a real oriental feeling, when you like architecture. The Gur Emir Mausoleum in Samarqand is the burial place of Timur Lenk and some family members, including Ulug Beg. It was built in the early 15th century and is considered as an outstanding example among the Timurids architecture. The mausoleum was commissioned during Timur's reign and was originally intended for his favorite grandson. The main entrance to the mausoleum complex is formed by a large arch 12 m high. The interior of the mausoleum has a square floor plan, which is enlarged by four niches, creating a cruciform space. Incredible for this time, when it was built. Looks also great in the evening with all the lights. Below the main room there is a crypt with a flat brick vault, in which the actual gravestones are located. The crypt is accessible, but you have to take the entrance, which is outside the mausoleum. Blessing, curse - superstition? A nice anecdote and certain facts, in any case. Timur (Tamleran) - the conqueror, the one that created terror for the Ottoman Empire and folk hero of Uzbekistan - was excavated by the Soviets in 1941. According to legend, the evil spirit of the warrior was kept in the crypt. It is said that Timur's tomb was inscribed with the words, "When I rise from the dead, the world shall tremble". Two or three days after Timur's exhumation, the German army invaded the Soviet Union in 1941. And the turn of the war in Stalingrad took place shortly after Timur was buried again according to Muslim religious customs and rites, in 1942. Timur founded the Timurid Empire in Central Asia and becoming the first ruler of the Timurid dynasty. He is regarded and revered as a folk hero in Uzbekistan, since it is independent. A visit to the mausoleum has to be part of a trip to Uzbekistan.
2. Ulugbek Madrasah
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 210 reviews
In the present Registan square in the XV century on the behest of Mirzo Ulugbek bin Shahrukh there were built several buildings: khamam, mosques, caravanserai, khanaka and majestic and incomparable building of Palace of Sciences - madrasah. Unlike his famous grandfather - "the ruler of the seven constellations of Tamerlane Shahrukh", Mirzo Ulugbek did not seek to build the highest building...
Reviewed By moviegeekjn - Phoenix, United States
The entire Registan Square complex is THE highlight of the Silk Road, and this madrasah was my personal favorite of the three. It has a wonderful art gallery inside along with a number of shops that offer local crafts.
3. Samarkand Train Station
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 12 reviews
Reviewed By Lance_Kerwin - Tromso, Norway
The Samarkand Train Station is so modern and very clean. Inside the station, the interior has a Russian influence. The chandelier within this station is strikingly gorgeous!
4. Mosque Koraboy Oksokol
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3 reviews
Reviewed By andrewmU2655XD
The Qoraboy Oqsoqol Mosque is a short walk into the Jewish quarter on Khudzhumskaya Street. It was probably the most authentic mosque which we had seen in Samarkand. Most ancient structures in Samarkand have been restored with glossy finishes, but this mosque had an aged appearance and showed evidence of regular use. There are directional signs to the mosque on Tashkent Road, and it is a short 50 meter walk. On approaching, the first thing that you will notice are the four (4) wooden columns at the front. The column to the right is smooth and seems to have been recently replaced, while the others are sculpted. The open "summer" mosque section was to the left. There were six sculpted columns of varying age, and mats on the floor. The ceiling in this section was aged, but this added to the charm of the mosque. Unfortunately the winter mosque section was closed when we visited, and we were unable to view the interior. We had heard that the mihrab was beautiful, and the chandelier and internal decorations exquisite. To the right of the building was a single slim guldasta, which we though was a unique design. The galdusta was made from brick, and had lantern designs in tin near to the top. It's cap was a brick dome, and a star and crescent moon symbol was on top. Also of interest, was the tapchan furniture at the mosque entrance. The guidebook didn't have a date for the construction of this mosque, but we estimated it to be at least 100 years old. After visiting this site, you can head east through the Jewish quarter to the synagogue and bath house, which are a 5 minute walk. After visiting the bath house, If you turn southward to Bukhara Street, the Maturidi mausoleum can be viewed.
5. St John the Baptist Church
6. Mosque Namozgokh
7. Saint Daniel's Tomb
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 176 reviews
Reviewed By dave_hempenstall1
A very nice small site to visit. The tomb and its length was cool. Nice area, the steps at the back bring you up to a cemetery and spring water source(another Source before the ticket office beside the blue dome).
