Samarkand, the second largest city in Uzbekistan, is a rich treasury of oriental culture. Despite the fact that the appearance of modern Samarkand in many respects resembles a developed European center, it has immortalized unique historical and architectural sights, awarded the right to be included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
A variety of interesting places, an unusually colorful atmosphere prevailing in the Old Town area, as well as a riot of colors of the local landscape and exteriors attract many tourists and travelers dreaming to see the famous sights of Samarkand with their own eyes. A full description of tourist destinations includes more than 20 cultural monuments, architectural ensembles and objects of important historical value.
Gur Emir Mausoleum
The literal translation of the name of the Gur-Emir mausoleum sounds like "the tomb of the king." According to its purpose, Gur Emir is a magnificent tomb for all men from the Timurid dynasty. The construction of the mausoleum continued for a long time.
Scientists attribute this building to the period of the XIV-XV centuries. It is known for certain that the complex was originally created for Sultan Muhammad - the grandson of the famous Tamerlane. Most travelers who visited the mausoleum and left a review of the sights of Samarkand Gur Emir, first of all note the unprecedented beauty of the Blue Dome of the tomb and its delightful interior decoration. This fact is really true, since the interior of the tomb of El Emir has no analogues throughout the world.
Ulugbek Observatory
Among all the objects that make up the sights of Samarkand, the Ulugbek Observatory is considered one of the most interesting and popular among tourists. It was built in the XI century on the elevation of Chupan-Ata for Ulugbek, the grandson of Tamerlan. Watching the celestial bodies for hours, he compiled an incredibly accurate catalog for his time, numbering 1,118 stars.
Archaeologists were able to discover the underground part of the sextant and the foundation of a three-story observatory. Tourists who visited these sites are enthusiastic about the grandeur of the structure.
Ancient settlement Afrasiab
This is another cult place for which Samarkand is famous. The description of the attraction would not be complete without mentioning the legend existing in these parts, according to which the hero of the folk epos, King Afrasiab, erected on the banks of the Siab river the beautiful capital of Sogdiana.
The ancient settlement is located away from modern Samarkand. To get to Afrasiab, you must take a course to the north-east from the city to the spurs of Chupon-ata.
From the middle of the 20th century to the present, there are ongoing archaeological and scientific works. However, despite the excavations, these objects can be visited by tourists as part of an excursion program covering this and other attractions of Samarkand. People who have already visited these places say that they have unforgettable impressions.
The shrine of the three religions - the burial place of St. Daniel
This is a unique place uniting the followers of the three largest world religions - Christianity, Islam and Judaism. A unique burial place is located in the northern part of the Afrasiab fortification. Serving at the court of King Nebuchadnezzar, a descendant of King Solomon Daniel was born in Jerusalem in the VI century BC. He possessed the gift of clairvoyance and was a very revered man in his own country.
Today, the burial on the banks of the Siab River, where St. Daniel lies (Khoji Daniyar - for the adherents of Islam or the prophet Daniel - for the supporters of Judaism), is a place of worship for Muslims, Christians and Jews around the world.
Mausoleum of Ruhabad
The mausoleum of Rukhabad, like all the sights of Samarkand, is distinguished by its original decoration and originality. This is one of the earliest structures of Samarkand, erected at the end of the XIV century. In those days, the mausoleum of Ruhabad was connected to the tomb of Amir Temur with a thick shady alley and a path made of marble slabs laid between them.
Khazryt Khizr
The Khazryt Khizr mosque, built in 1823, is located on a small hill opposite the Mazar of Kusam ibn Abbas, with which the mosque in ancient times was connected by a road and made up a single spiritual complex.
Architecturally, the mosque is of great value due to the fact that it is a classic embodiment of the aivan style, which is very characteristic of the East of the 19th century.
Place of worship Maturidi
Maturidi, or rather Abu Mansur al-Maturidi, was one of the founders of the theoretical ideas of the Islamic religion, who created the doctrine of the philosophy of Islam "Maturidia".
The place of worship of this iconic Muslim personality is located in the old part of Samarkand and is accessible for pilgrims and tourists.
Imam Al Bukhari Memorial
This memorial complex perfectly embodies the sights representing Samarkand, reviews of which are always full of enthusiastic and capacious epithets.
The Imam al-Bukhari Memorial is located twelve kilometers from the city in the town of Horteng and is a very revered Muslim shrine. Here lies the remains of Imam Muhammad ibn Ismail Abu Abdallah al-Bukhari, a well-known theologian, scholar and author of the book Al-Jomi as Sahih, which is the second most important book for Muslims after the Koran.
Siab Bazaar
This is the oldest and largest eastern bazaar of Samarkand, located near the Bibi-Khanum mosque in a spacious city square. It has been here since time immemorial. Tourists who visited there claim that the bazaar to this day delights the crowded noisy crowds, an abundance of local vegetables, fruits and sweets.
Travelers love to visit the Siab bazaar, since the sights of Samarkand include not only architectural and religious objects, but also such an outstanding place that perfectly characterizes the life and customs of local residents as the oriental market.
Street Masters
Originating at Registan Square, Tashkent Street is the oldest street in Samarkand. Since ancient times, it has been the center of the city, an important caravan road and the street of craftsmen. Trade carts were transported along it, delivering goods from the Ferghana Valley, the Tashkent oasis and even China, which made it the main center of trade in the city.
The passage of Chorsu built in the 18th century, located near the walls of the Sher-Dor Madrasah at the very beginning of the Masters Street, has survived to our times.
University Boulevard
The University Boulevard, which stretches for almost a kilometer, is located in the very center of Samarkand. It is surrounded by greenery and is one of the most popular places for walking with locals and tourists. Students of Samarkand State University, located in one of the ancient buildings of this famous street, especially love him.
Such sights of Samarkand as Tilla-Kori Madrasah, Bibi Khanum Mosque, Ali Nasafi Mausoleum, Sherdor Madrasah, Shahi Zinda Necropolis, Kuchkunji Khan Mosque and many others are of no less cultural and tourist value. Reviews about them are enthusiastic. People who saw it all with their own eyes advise everyone to personally admire this splendor.