Samarkand, also Samarqand, is perhaps the most famous city of modern Uzbekistan. The city center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The site of Samarkand was settled about 2000 BC. In times of old the city was also known as Afrosiab, and also Maracanda by the Greeks. The city was the capital of Sogdiana, an ancient Persian province, and was conquered by Alexander the Great in 329 BC. It subsequently grew as a trade center on the Silk Road, the great trading route between China and the Mediterranean region. In the early 8th century AD, it was conquered by the Arabs and soon became an important center of Muslim culture. In 1220 Samarkand was almost completely destroyed by the Mongol ruler Genghis Khan. It flourished again when Timur-i-Leng (known as Tamerlane in the West) made it the capital of his empire in 1369. As his capital Timur put Samarkand on the world map and much of the architecture visible today was built by him or his descendants. The empire declined in the 15th century, and nomadic Uzbeks (Shaybanids) took Samarkand in 1500. In 1784 the emirate of Bukhara conquered it. The city was taken by Russia in 1868 and once again began to assume importance. From 1924 to 1930, Samarqand was the capital of the Uzbek Soviet Socialist Republic (SSR).

Trivia about Samarkand

• In 1943 the SS Peter Cooper a United States Liberty ship was launched, and then renamed the SS Samarkand after being loaned to the British. In 1971 the ship was scrapped.
• The Bookshop Sketch featured in ITVs ‘At Last the 1948 Show’ refers to a fictional book called “Thirty Days In the Samarkand Desert with a Spoon”, by A.E.J. Elliott. The sketch was used also in Monty Python’s Flying Circus, where the book was referred to as “Thirty Days in the Samarkand Desert with the Duchess of Kent” by A. E. J. Elliott, O.B.E.
• In Turkey, there is a monthly religious magazine called Semerkand, named after this city because Samarkand has long been a major centre for Islamic scholars.

Famous Tourist Locations

• Afrosiab

  Located on an irrigated valley of the Zeravshan River in the center of Uzbekistan, area of present Samarkand always ensured favorable conditions for human settlements. As proof, one can freely walk through the ancient ruins of Afrosiab, which are a few hundred meters from the center of the city.

• Registan

  This is of course the main attraction of Samarkand and is every bit as impressive as its reputation.

• Gur-Emir

  As a conqueror there are few that are Tamerlane equal, both in territory and lives taken. It is said that he made pyramids out of the skulls of his vanquished. Today one can visit his tomb in the beautifully reconstructed Gur-Emir Mausoleum (1404-1405, 15-17 centuries) and reflect on his life while looking at the largest piece of jade (greenstone) in the world.

• Shakh-i-Zinda

  Another point of interest is ancient necropolis Shakh-i-Zinda (9-14, 19 centuries)situated on southeastern mound of Afrosiab. This architectural complex consists of 44 tombs in more than 20 mausoleums.

• Bibi-Khonym

  The restored Mosque Bibi-Khonym (1399-1404) is one of most well known architectural attractions of Central Asia. The Mosque was erected on Timur’s order after his raid of Delhi. This was to be biggest Mosque ever constructed. Until now the Bibi-Khonym Mosque is one of the biggest in the Islamic world.

• Khazrat-Khizr

  This mosque is one of the ancient edifices of Samarkand was destroyed by Genghis Khan’s hordes. It was rebuilt in 19 century. A beautiful Mosque stands on the elevation at the entrance of town from where their eye wanders over Bibi-Khonym Mosque, the big bazaar and the mountains in the South.

• Tomb of Prophet Daniel

  Amongst other curiosities in Samarkand is the tomb of the Hebrew Prophet Daniel, which is located in the cemetery section of Afrosiab next to a pleasant stream. For a small fee you may enter the tomb, which contains a burial chamber around 18 meters long. Muslim men will offer prayers while you listen respectfully.

• Ulugbek’s telescope

  Another curiosity is the telescope of Ulugbek (Timur’s grandson). Only the foundations remain but it is truly extraordinary. Ulugbek was an astronomer, scientist and architect. His scientific and astronomical discoveries greatly advanced knowledge in these fields.

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