"Crossroads of Cultures" Samarkand by traveloturc
Samarkand Travel Guide: 316 reviews and 886 photos
"Everything I have heard about Marakanda (samarkand) is true, except that it's more beautiful then I ever imagined"
No this is not me this is Alexander the Great who said this words.I will say that this is the Firenze of Asia.This is the craddle of the eastern civilisation.Samarkand (Marakanda for greeks) is one of the world's oldest cities, located in the crossroads of the silk roads . UNESCO inscribed the 2700-year-old city on the World Heritage List as Samarkand - Crossroads of Cultures.
It was already the capital of Sogdian empire when it was taken in 329 BC by Alexander the Great, ' From the 6th to the 13th century it grew into a city more populous than it is today, changing hands every couple of centuries: Western Turks, Arabs, Persian Samanids, Karakhanids, Seljuq Turks, Mongolian Karakitay and Khorezmshah have all ruled here- before being obliterated by Cengiz Khan in 1220. In 1370 Timur decided to make Samarkand his capital, and over the next 35 years forged a new, almost-mythical city.His grandson Ulug bey ruled until 1449 and made it an intellectual centre as well.
I was in this city many times for business purposes.I think that I am very lucky to find this diamond city in the middle of Asia .
I can imagine the feeling of Caravan members travelling in the silk road .
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- In a nutshell:Crossroads of Cultures
Reviews (9)
Hazreti Hizir Mosque
Things to Do
(9)
Hazreti Hizir mosque was built in the 18th century on the entrance to Samarkand. Hazreti Hizir (Saint Hizir) is very... more travel advice
Sahi Zinda
Things to Do
(9)
Shakhi Zinda ( living King) controversly is a big burial complex (10th to 19th centuries),Nowadays we can enter Shakhi... more travel advice
Bibi Hatun
Things to Do
(9)
Lady Bibi was the beloved wife of Timur.Bibi Hatun Mosque (15th century)was the largest structure of its time in the... more travel advice
Ulug Bey observatory
Things to Do
(9)
This is one of the most important buildings of the world history. Ulug bey decide to build this observatory in 1428-1429... more travel advice
Samarkand Travel Guide
Member Travel Pages
- "Mirror of the World,"
- "Samarkand - Central Asia's Eternal Beauty"
- "Take the Golden Road to Samarqand"
- "Splendour of the Silk Road"
- "Magical City"
- "Samarkand, a tale city"
- "Crossroads of Cultures"
- See All...
Badges & Stats in Samarkand
- 9 Reviews
- 21 Photos
- 0 Forum posts
- 3 Comments
- 1,354PageViews
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Comments (3)
Samarkand is sooo beautiful! Great page!
Wonderful Smarkand page, Macit. It is one of those places with mystical names that I've always wanted to visit. The sunset photo on your homepage is stunning too. fergy.
Wonderful ! I just came back from this beautiful country and still dream of Samarkand :-))
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