Samarqand, city in east-central Uzbekistan that is one of the oldest cities of Central Asia and the second largest city in Uzbekistan after Tashkent . For thousand’s of years Samarkand prospered being located on one of the major trade routes to China. This famous city has got so many nick-names that they can really describe people’s attitude to it: the Mirror of the World, the Jewel of Islam, the Garden of Soul, the Center of the Universe…

In the 4th century BC Samarkand was known as Maracanda, it was the capital of Sogdiana and was captured (329) by Alexander the Great. The city was later ruled by Central Asian Turks (6th century AD), the Arabs (8th century), the Samanids of Iran (9th-10th century), and various Turkic peoples (11th-13th century) before it was annexed by the Khwarezm-Shah dynasty (early 13th century) and destroyed by the Mongol conqueror Genghis Khan (1220). After it revolted against its Mongol rulers (1365), Samarkand became the capital of the empire of Timur (Tamerlane), who made the city the most important economic and cultural centre in Central Asia. Samarkand was conquered by Uzbeks in 1500 and became part of the khanate of Bukhara. By the 18th century it had declined, and from the 1720s to the 1770s it was uninhabited. Only after it became a provincial capital of the Russian Empire (1887) and a railroad centre did it recover economically. It was for a short of time (1924-36) the capital of the Uzbek Soviet Socialist Republic.

Samarkand consists of an old city dating from medieval times and a new section built after the Russian conquest of the area in the 19th century. The old city’s plan consisted of streets converging toward the centre from six gates in the 5-mile- (8-kilometre-) long, 11th-century walls. The old city contains some of the finest monuments of Central Asian architecture from the 14th to the 20th century, including several buildings dating from the time when Samarkand was Timur’s capital city

Samarkand derived its commercial importance in ancient and medieval times from its location at the junction of trade routes from China and India. Samarkand city was once a large commercial center on the Great Silk Road.

As one the ancient poets said:” You can travel through the whole world, have a look at the pyramids and admire the smile of the Sphinx; You can listen to the soft singing of the wind at the Adriatic Sea and kneel down reverently at the ruins of the Acropolis, be dazzled by Rome with its Forum and Coliseum, be charmed by Notre Dame in Paris or by old domes of Milan; But if you have seen buildings of Samarkanda, you will be enchanted by its magic forever.”

HIGHLIGHTS

AFRASIAB is the name of the legendary king of Turan.In turn,Turan is a name of an extensive territory,occupying almost all of Central Asia.
In 1220,Afrasiab was conquered and razed almost to the ground by the Mongols under Genghis Khan.
Still today on the hillside of Afrasiab,behind one of the most interesting Archaeological Museum for its original fresco wall painting from the early 7th century A.D., archaeological excavations reveal the remains of the ancient city.
In the 14th century the REGISTAN became the central square of the new site,Samarkand.Registan in translation,means “sandy place”,from where six main streets led towards the far away places where the precious wares traded in Samarkand were further destined,namely Misr(Egypt),Dimishk(Damascus),Baghdad,Sultaniya,and Farish(Paris),names still held by Samarkand`s suburbs today.The architectural ensemble of the Registan is considered pre-eminent in Central Asia and supreme among Islamic monumental architecture.The former market place Registan is today framed from three sides by the Ulugbek Madrassah(1417-1420),Sherdor Madrassah(1619-1636),and Tilla-Kaki Mosque-Madrassah(1647-1660).

GURI – AMIR MAUSOLEUM. Another masterpiece of Islamic architecture,the construction of which started in 1404,after the death of Mukhammad Sultan,crown prince and beloved grandson of Timur.Ulugbek completed the construction and it is during his reign that the mausoleum became the family crypt of the Timurid dynasty.It is here where Amir Timur,his two sons and two grandsons are buried.

BIBI – KHANUM MOSQUE. The construction of the mosque was undertaken in 1399,after the victorious campaign of Timur in India and was completed in 1404,within five years.By Timur`s decree the mosque Bibi-Khanum had to outshine everything he had seen elsewhere.In view of the fact that he had the most skilled and innovative masters assembled in samaekand,it was seen as a realistic endeavor.

SHAKHI – ZINDA NECROPOLIS. In the northern part of Samarkand,on the edge of the Afrasiab hill site,among the vast ancient graveyards,lies a narrow corridor along which numerous mausoleums are lined up,with the most famous being the grave of Kussam,the cousin of the Prophet Mukhammad.
Among the people,Kussam is known under the name Shakhi-Zinda”The living king”,who,according to the leend,passed away from this world while still alive.
Most of the mausoleums stem from the 14th-15th c.c.

OBSERVATORY OF ULUGBEK. According to archaeological remains,it can be assumed that the observatory built in 1429 contained the largest sextant in the East.The height of sextant,which was discovered by the Russian archaeologist V.L.Vyatkin in 1908,is 11m.A small museum provides further insight the accomplishments of ulugbek,such as a fragment of the famous “Ziji Guragan”,the most encompassing catalogue of stars known until that time.

MAUSOLEUM OF THE PROPHET DANIEL. Among the hills of Afrasiab,on the bank of Siab irrigation canal,there is a wonderous place,the aura of which is immediately apparent.Among scholars,there is still no agreement as to when and how the mausoleumnof the Biblical Prophet Daniel appeared in Samarkand.It is sacred site for three world religions:Islam,Christianity and Judaism.Tis is a location for piligrims from all over the world and local inhabitants in search of blessings.

25km to north of Samarkand is the COMPLEX OF ISMAIL IMAM AL – BUKHARI,famous in the Muslim world as the scientific theologist.After the Koran,the book most revered by Muslims is the collection of Hadith(sayings of the Prophet Mukhammad)selected by Abu Abdullah Mukhammad ibn Ismail Imam al-Bukhari.Centuties of research have confirmed al-Bukhari`s work as the most reliable and respected collection of Hadith.As he never attached himself to a particular school, his mausoleum attracts piligrims from all around the world.

SILK – PAPER OF SAMARKAND. It is acknowledged that in the 7th century Samarkand was the first location outside of China where paper was produced.Later,owing to the Arabs and the spreading of Islamic culture,the secret of paper making reached the West via Spain.
With the arrival of the Russians and thus industrialization and an administrative culture based on paper making documents,hand crafted paper making became an extinct art for mass produced pure white and cheaper manufactured paper became widely available to respond to an ever growing demand
Nowadays hand made paper is once again available in Samarkand,thanks to support by UNESCO and the relentless effort and passion of the “Meros” crafts people association.The paper mill can be visited and the Meros crafts people gladly give you an introduction onto this ancient craft.

SILK – PAPER OF SAMARKAND. It is acknowledged that in the 7th century Samarkand was the first location outside of China where paper was produced.Later,owing to the Arabs and the spreading of Islamic culture,the secret of paper making reached the West via Spain.
With the arrival of the Russians and thus industrialization and an administrative culture based on paper making documents,hand crafted paper making became an extinct art for mass produced pure white and cheaper manufactured paper became widely available to respond to an ever growing demand
Nowadays hand made paper is once again available in Samarkand,thanks to support by UNESCO and the relentless effort and passion of the “Meros” crafts people association.The paper mill can be visited and the Meros crafts people gladly give you an introduction onto this ancient craft.

SAMARKAND WINERY AND WINE TASTING. With Central Asia growing some of the best grapes of the World,wine making goes back to pre-Islamic times,possibly to the Bronze Age.The wines produced in a small distillery named after the Russian wine-maker Khovrenko have been awarded international diplomas,gold and silver medals in Paris and Antwerp.Wine tasting and a shop within the distillery are available to the interested visitors. BAZAARS OF SAMARKAND. To witness the true essence of Central Asia,we recommend you visit the famous Bazaar of Samarkand,the Siabian or “old town” bazaar next to the Bibi Khanum mosque.There you will find the true hustle and bustle that makes Central Asia so charming and unique.Local dress and the Uzbek and Tajik language prevail and trade is brisk along the stalls displaying a colorful multitude of goods.From spring to autumn heaps of the freshest and tastiest fruits and vegetables can be tasted and bought here.Seemingly,not much has changed here over the centuries and for the passing visitor a bazaar gives the most vivid snapshot of Uzbek life.

INTERNATIONAL MUSICAL FESTIVAL “SHARQ TARONALARI”. Every two years,inside the Registan,the international musical festival “Sharq Taronalari ” is being since its inception in 1997,when bands,musical ensembles and singers from 31 counries participated.Today because of its scale it has become one of the greatest festivals not only in Central Asia,but in the world.51 coutries took part in the 5th festival in 2005.The 6th festival coincided with Samarkand`s 2750 anniversary,in 2007.