About Samarkand
Samarkand is a city in southeastern Uzbekistan, the administrative center of the Samarkand region. The total area of the city is 120 km². The population is about 529,900 inhabitants. Samarkand is one of the oldest cities in the world, the same age as Rome, Athens, Babylon.
Prospering from its location on the Silk Road between China and the Mediterranean Sea, at times Samarkand was one of the largest cities of Central Asia.
The earliest written mention of Samarkand dates back to 329 BC. e., when the Greco-Macedonian army led by Alexander the Great captured it. In the first centuries, the city became part of the powerful Kangyui state.
In 2001, UNESCO added the city to its World Heritage List as «Samarkand – Crossroads of Cultures».
Samarkand is known for its mosques and mausoleums. This city is rich in natural and cultural attractions. In the XIV century it was the capital of the empire of Tamerlane and the Timurid dynasty. The vast majority of the city’s architectural masterpieces were built during this era. This was the period of the highest development of Samarkand. During the reign of the Temurids that Samarkand reached its heyday. The rulers of European states considered it an honor to visit this city.
Samarkand has long attracted the eyes of politicians, business people, and travelers. He reached particular prosperity and greatness under the great Timur. This era left the most significant traces in the historical and architectural appearance of the city.
In Samarkand, magnificent examples of medieval architecture have been preserved, striking in the perfection of forms, rich in colors.
Today, Samarkand is one of the largest cities of Uzbekistan. Modern Samarkand is the second city of Uzbekistan after Tashkent in terms of population and territory, industrial significance, the center of world tourism. Located in the left-bank hilly part of the middle course of the Zarafshan River. The nature has endowed Samarkand with a wonderful climate and clean water.
An attraction of all Central Asian architecture is the Samarkand ensemble of Shakhi-Zinda mausoleums on the slope of the Afrosiab settlement. Its formation began in the XII century, the main building was carried out in the XIV-XV centuries, under Timur. Mausoleum Gur-Emir (XV century). Timur is buried here along with his sons and grandchildren. The tomb of Guri Amir became the prototype of the Taj Mahal in Agra. As a “scientist on the throne”, the patron saint of science and education, Timur’s grandson, Mirzo Ulugbek, went down in history.
Timur’s grandson Mirzo Ulugbek went down in history as the patron saint of science and education.
Modern Samarkand is a comfortable city. There are many parks and squares in it. The city has become one of the important centers of culture in Uzbekistan: the university, other educational institutions, scientific institutions, opera and drama theaters, numerous museums. The city is noted as a centre of Islamic scholarly study and the birthplace of the Timurid Renaissance.
Nowadays Samarkand is also a city of knowledge and science and is waiting for students from all over the world.