Samarkand: majesty in Uzbekistan

Asia » Uzbekistan » Samarkand
February 7th 2014

Published: February 7th 2014

Be warned: lots of pictures of domes, minarets, blue mosaic and tiles. THIS is Samarkand! It had snowed the previous day in Tashkent and I was worried it would be another cold day on the road but as I woke up early to hit the road towards Samarkand, the sky was very blue and the November sun felt warm: lovely! I put on my shorts and here I was, cycling to Samarkand. I can’t say the road or the ... Read Full Entry

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Jeremy Chiron

Jeremyaroundtheworld

I am a 36-year old language teacher, currently working in Beijing. I was born in France but China has been my home for many years. I taught French and English in Fuzhou, Fujian Province, for 6 years. I never thought I would stay in China for such a long time but it’s been an amazing experience! Professionally speaking, teaching Chinese students is extremely rewarding. They are so hard-working and eager to learn new things. And then China… there aren’t enough words to describe this intricate (hence fascinating) country. “China is not to be liked or disliked: i... full info

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Tajikistan

Cold but so beautiful!

Tajikistan to my left

flying bush on the road

they were absolutely everywhere for a few kilometers

on the way to Samarkand

arriving at Samarkand

Following the Silk Road on my bike

arriving in Samarkand

Lada + mausoleum= Uzbekistan!

Shah-i-Zinda

avenue of mausoleums behind this door

first evening in Samarkand

While looking for my hotel I cycled by Bibi-Khanym Mausoleum

Bibi-Khanym Mausoleum

first evening in Samarkand. At sunset, the mausoleum in the old city center turns pink

welcome to my hotel!

This is Samarkand

I have taken so many pictures of the decorative wall tiles on the mosques and mausoleums

Wall outside Bibi-Khanym Mausoleum

morning light

Outside Bibi-Khanym Mausoleum

Wall outside Bibi-Khanym Mausoleum

This is Samarkand

Bibi-Khanym Mausoleum

a famous historical Friday mosque in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, whose name comes from the wife of 14th-century ruler, Amir Timur

Bibi-Khanym Mausoleum

After his Indian campaign in 1399 Timur decided to undertake the construction of a gigantic mosque in his new capital, Samarkand. The mosque was built using precious stones captured during his conquest of India. According to Ruy Gonzáles de Clavijo, 90 captured elephants were employed merely to carry precious stones, so as to erect a mosque at Samarkand — Bibi-Khanym Mosque. Construction was completed between 1399 and 1404. However, the mosque slowly fell into disuse, and crumbled to ruins over the centuries. Its demise was hastened due to the fact it pushed the construction techniques of the time to the very limit, and the fact that it was built too quickly. It eventually partially collapsed in 1897 when an earthquake occurred.

7th February 2014

Keep Smiling
Mike Fossey

Lots of photos - but none of your feet!
You certainly did get carried away with the beauty of Samarkand! But no pictures of your feet this time! (http://www.travelblog.org/Topics/22878-3.html) Keep pedalling - and garde le sourire!

8th February 2014

Jeremyaroundtheworld
Jeremy Chiron

everything happens up there in Samarkand!
no pics of my feet in Samarkand... didn't even look at them with all these domes and minarets in the sky! Next time I go, I'll focus on the floor tiles! Promise! ;-)

8th February 2014

Jeremyaroundtheworld
Jeremy Chiron

Check this link to see more feet pics!
http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/United-Kingdom/England/blog-670519.html Cheers!

9th February 2014

Keep Smiling
Mike Fossey

Feet galore!
HaHa! That blog ([blog=670519]) is something else. How did I ever miss it? Thanks for the link, which I've added to the forum so everyone else subscribed to that topic can have a laugh too. Keep smiling!

15th February 2014

Jeremyaroundtheworld
Jeremy Chiron

;-)
I am smiling but I got bugs on my teeth! ;-)

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Samarkand: majesty in Uzbekistan

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