The majestic Samarkand for many centuries played an important role in the history of all of Central Asia. And for Uzbekistan, like Bukhara, which concentrates a huge number of historical monuments, Samarkand is of great importance. This is a city full of amazing sights, which opens behind its gates excellent and unforgettable spectacles.
Where is Samarkand - a city that dates back thousands of years and is not inferior to the oldest cities in the world: Babylon, Athens, Rome and Memphis?
General information
The city has many names that people have given it at all times. The unofficial names of the former capital of the Tamerlane empire are: Eden of the East, Rome of the East and the Pearl of the Muslim world. These names seem to be ordinary words until you see it all with your own eyes.
The formation of Samarkand was difficult. The warriors of Alexander the Great, numerous detachments of Genghis Khan and the Arab invaders set foot on this Asian land. The city could become the capital of the world at a time when Tamerlane expanded his empire.
According to ancient sources, Samarkand is a city where the formation of legendary historical figures took place: Ulugbek, Omar Khayyam, Jami, Mukimi, Rudaki, Avicenna, Babur, Sadriddin Aini and many others.
City features
Samarkand is the second largest city in the country. In ancient times, it was best known as Maracanda.
For 2000 years, it was the most important strategic object on the Great Silk Road. At the same time, answering the question, which city has an unenviable geographical location, the answer will follow - this is Samarkand. And where else can you so clearly feel the sultry breath of the great Kyzylkum desert, if not in the valley of the Zarafshan River, among the mountains of the Pamir and Altai?
The foundation of the city coincides with the era of the birth of the Roman Empire. Samarkand was attacked and destroyed many times, but rebuilt and regained its former greatness.
In addition to the above-mentioned folk names, he has many nicknames: the Garden of the Soul, the Center of the Universe, the Mirror of the World, etc. The unique city of Samarkand exists in isolation, as if by itself - outside of space and time. This settlement, replete with priceless historical monuments and buildings, rare mosques in beauty, also has a great history and numerous highly skilled artisans.
Many clay and porcelain products, as well as amazingly beautiful carpets and other objects of Uzbek creativity are widely known throughout the world.
Characteristics
Speaking about where the city of Samarkand is located, it should be noted that it is located in the southeast of Uzbekistan, at an altitude of about 719 m above sea level. Its area is 120 km². More than 500 thousand people live here.
Its time zone is UTC +5, local time is 2 hours ahead of Moscow time. Geographic coordinates: 39 ° 39ʹ15ʺ s. w. and 66 ° 57ʹ34ʺ in. d.
There is an airport in the city located on its northern outskirts.
sights
In which city can you plunge into the past and feel the atmosphere of those ancient times? This is Samarkand, where there are a huge number of preserved historical buildings. Among them, the Registan complex stands out for its striking architecture.
According to historical data, it is located at the crossroads of 6 roads, where at one time the great Tamerlan began to build a city. The complex includes three madrassas (religious educational institutions of Muslims), each of which is named after a member of the conquering dynasty's family. For example, one of them received the name of his grandson Ulukbek.
Near the ruins of the greatest ancient mosque - Bibi Khanum - the central city market is located, where exotic vegetables, fruits, flat cakes, as well as products of Uzbek art are sold at low prices.
The shrine of Samarkand is the mausoleum of Shahi Zinda, which has survived to this day from the time of Tamerlane. This is a whole complex of 11 mausoleums interconnected. The building is located on the outskirts of the city (Afrasiab area older than Samarkand). Between these mausoleums laid footpaths of ancient stones. The complex at the beginning of the XXI century was recognized by UNESCO.
Where are the majestic and most beautiful mosques with painted domes? This place is Samarkand, where a great many of such beauty is concentrated. Mosques amaze with their rich decoration and contrast quite sharply with small medieval houses hiding in the shade of objects of Muslim culture.
When you are here, you get the impression that this is a country where giants and people live nearby, and the first worship Allah, since the size of the shrines is astonishing in its size. Compared to Western European cities, Samarkand does not have many high-rise buildings. Of course, there are multi-story hotels built in the Western European manner, but there are few of them, and they do not really fit into the relief of the city.
