Samarkand, Uzbekistan: A Historical Journey through The Silk Road

Samarkand, the symbolic city of the Silk Road, chosen by the UN as the 2023 World Tourism Capital. With its population over half a million, it stands as one of Uzbekistan's largest cities. Always admired for its majestic beauty, it's a place where Western poets and dreamers have set their charming stories, despite the fact that just a few of them have ever had the chance to see its sights firsthand.
Samarkand hosts one of the most important sights of Central Asia, Registan.
The three world’s oldest preserved medressas, some says they should belong to the world’s 7 wonders. Translated from Tajik as ‘Sandy Place’, Registan was a medieval Samarkand’s commercial centre and bazaar. Having withstood the ravages of time and numerous earthquakes, these buildings are proving the great skills of their builders. At the beginning of the 20th century, Registan was at a blink of collapse but restored by the Soviets.
Let’s look on the first Registan’s majestic building, the Ulugbek Medressa, completed during the reign of Timur grandson, Ulugbek, who is said to taught here personally. Common subjects were mathematics, theology, astronomy and philosophy. Ulugbek's passion for astronomy is reflected in the stars decorating the entrance.
Visitors can climb its minaret for a small fee, and enjoy a view from above. Nearby, Ulugbek established an advanced observatory, where he conducted precise observations that shaped medieval astronomy. Ulugbek's main achievement was his astronomical catalog, documenting over 1000 stars with exceptional precision. However, even his brilliance could not shield him from tragedy: his son's rebellion led to his capture and execution. Now, his name lives on in two places in the Universe: a minor planet discovered in 1977, and also Ulugbek crater on the Moon.
Facing Ulugbek’s medressa stands the Sher Dor complex, decorated with felines resembling tigers, though intended to represent lions, along with Zoroastrian-inspired sun motives. This design choice once again challenges Islamic norms prohibiting the depiction of living animals. Although ceramics and other goods are available for purchase inside, prices tend to be higher than elsewhere in the country.
Between these two buildings lies the middle Tilla-Kari Medressa, with a cozy courtyard. Inside can be found the highlight of Registan: the majestic blue-golden interior, symbolizing Samarkand’s prosperity.
On the 18th of November each year, a march passes through the streets in front of Registan, marking the anniversary of the adoption of the current flag as a state symbol. The flag's symbolism is as follows: blue represents the sky and water, white signifies peace and purity, green symbolizes nature, while the red stripes represent life. The crescent with stars symbolizes the birth of a new nation, spirituality, and is also associated with Islam.
Northeast of the Registan lies the Bibi-Khanum Mosque, funded from the gains of Timur's invasion to India. Once, it stood as one of the largest mosques in the Islamic world and its construction pushed former techniques to their limits.
Shah-i-Zinda, Samarkand’s most picturesque site, is an avenue of mausoleums with some of the most beautiful tilework in the Muslim world. In English, 'Tomb of the Living King' originates from the earliest established grave in the area, belonging to Qusam ibn-Abbas.
Let's also explore Gur-e-Amir Mausoleum, the final resting place for Timur, as well as his two sons and grandsons, including Ulugbek.
CHAPTERS:
0:00 Samarkand History
1:45 Registan
2:30 Ulugbek Madrasa
3:37 Sher Dor Madrasah
4:09 Tilya Kori Madrasah
5:06 Bibi Khanum Mosque
5:51 Shahi Zinda
6:51 Timur Mausoleum (Gure Amir)
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