Registan Square in Samarkand.
Samarkand, a city from the 7th century on the Silk Road, a well-known trading route connecting China with the Mediterranean, was a name I had only ever heard of in history class. And what drew me there was the attraction of the legendary Silk Road.
Samarkand, Uzbekistan, nowadays still displays remnants of its past position as a component of the Soviet Union, and the city has been impacted by neighbouring countries both linguistically and ethnographically. The most extensively used languages are Tajik Persian, Russian, and Uzbek. The main industries include regional commerce with China and Russia, investments, and tourism via Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan.
As you would expect from a city that’s been around for 1,400 years, Samarkand is steeped in culture and history, and contains some breathtaking architecture.
Despite the fact that Samarkand isn't a popular travel destination, there are many excellent lodging alternatives, including five- and four-star hotels like the Samarkand Regency Amir Timur and the Savitsky Plaza, which bears Igor Savitsky's name and has some of his avant-garde artwork. Additionally, there are a few lovely boutique hotels, such the Sangzor Hotel in Registan Square.
Samarkand is a city with a rich history and culture, as you might expect from a 1,400-year-old city, and also has some stunning architecture.
The Shah-i-Zinda necropolis.
The Turco-Mongolian conqueror and national hero of Uzbekistan, Amir Temur, is buried there, together with his sons and grandchildren, at the Gur-e-Amir, or mausoleum. The intricate muqarnas, a pattern in the shape of a honeycomb that is widespread across the Islamic world, is displayed at the courtyard's entrance. After being pillaged for ages, the inner chamber was initially constructed of gold, jade, and onyx but has since been updated with less expensive materials. It is still a work of art, though.
Registan Square is arguably the best example of the Timurid Renaissance, which saw a resurgence of the arts and sciences as well as the building of mosques and madrasahs in Samarkand. Three madrasahs are located in the plaza, which is close to Gur-e-Amir, and some of the finest thinkers of the 14th and 15th centuries studied there.
A large entranceway with geometric designs set out in blue and turquoise tile patterns leads onto a courtyard, which is true of all three buildings. On the minarets and domes, the same magnificent glazed tile work is used to inscribe Kufic calligraphy. And although the madrasahs' dorms and halls are now home to souvenir stores, the structures nevertheless have a melancholy aura.
In particular, the Sher-e-Dor madrasah on the right has a mosaic of a tiger and a man, representing man's search for knowledge.
The square's elaborate window arches, latticework, and vast gardens are evocative of India's Humayun's Tomb and Taj Mahal. This is expected.
The Shah-i-Zinda Necropolis, which is located further away, is a three-level structure that contains the tombs of Amir Temur's family, associates, and religious professors. The most well-known of them is Kusam (Qutham) ibn Abbas, the Prophet Muhammad's cousin. You can only really appreciate Shah-i-splendor Zinda's when you ascend its steps and glance back at each level, taking in its brilliant blue domes and tiled entranceways against the contrasting taupe of the building. It also has a number of vantage spots with lovely views over the city and the nearby cemetery.
The Gur-e-Amir, or mausoleum of Amir Temur, is where the Turco-Mongolian conqueror and Uzbekistan’s national hero, Amir Temur lies.
The Eternal City, a reproduction of historic Uzbek cities with artisan stores and regional cafés, is about 20 minutes from Samarkand's downtown. Although the buildings may not be real, it is a favourite among residents for a day trip with the family because of the cultural activities it offers. You may see how to make samsa, a dish similar to a samosa, here, for instance.
The Uzbek cuisine is infamously high in meat, to the point that it poses serious health risks. Plov, the country's signature dish filled with ripe raisins and sweet, caramelised carrots, is frequently consumed for breakfast and lunch in Saudi Arabia and is also known colloquially as "Bukhara rice."
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