Enchanting Samarkand – Eden of the East

What to Expect

Samarkand Through the Centuries
You will walk through the most interesting and impressive places of Samarkand. Learn how the Great Silk Road influenced it in ancient times, who attacked the city and destroyed it throughout history, and how Samarkand revived and flourished again. I will tell you about the revival of the city during the era of Amir Timur, known in Europe as Tamerlane, and show architectural masterpieces built during the reign of his family that have survived to this day. So, the tour program includes:

• Registan Square – the hallmark of Samarkand, located in the heart of the old city. I will show you three majestic buildings of the complex, embodying the highest achievements of medieval architects – Ulugh Beg Madrasah, Sher-Dor Madrasah, and Tilya-Kori Madrasah.

• Gur-e-Amir Mausoleum – the magnificent family tomb of the Timurids. Here are buried Amir Timur, his favorite grandsons Muhammad Sultan, Ulugh Beg, and other family members. I will tell you the history of the mausoleum and the legend associated with it.

• Bibi-Khanym Mosque – you will see the grandiose mosque adorned with glazed tiles, carved marble, and paintings, a symbol of the boundless love of Timur's wife for him.

• Shah-i-Zinda Necropolis – one of the most mysterious architectural monuments of Samarkand. You will be impressed by the chain of elegant, shimmering in blue paint mausoleums where royal persons and nobles are buried.

• Ulugh Beg Observatory – I will tell you about the life and scientific methods of the great scholar, mathematician, and astronomer Mirzo Ulugh Beg. You will learn how he managed to determine the coordinates of 1018 stars, which correspond to the data calculated with modern technology nowadays.

• Burial Place of Saint Daniel – you will visit a truly sacred place where Jews, Muslims, and Christians come to worship. I will tell you the story of the dried pistachio tree that came to life and bloomed after the visit to Samarkand by Patriarch Alexy II in 1996.

Samarkand is famous not only for its holy places and magnificent architecture but also for its crafts. You will visit several factories that have preserved authenticity to this day. For example, at the 'Khujum' factory, you will see handmade silk carpets produced using ancient technology. And at the 'Konigil' site, the production of high-quality paper using ancient methods has been restored.