Bibi-Khanym Mosque

legend says that Bibi-Khanym, Timur's Chinese wife, ordered the mosque built as a surprise while he was away. The architect fell madly in love with her and refused to finish the job unless he could give her a kiss. The smooch left a mark and Timur, on seeing it, executed the architect and decreed that women should henceforth wear veils so as not to tempt other men.

Samarkand: majesty in Uzbekistan

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 more

Asia » Uzbekistan » Samarkand

Russia conquered Uzbekistan in the late 19th century. Stiff resistance to the Red Army after World War I was eventually suppressed and a socialist republic set up in 1924. During the Soviet era, intensive production of "white gold" (cotton) and grain... ... read more

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