Samarkand – a name that conjures up the romance of the caravans that traveled the Silk Road. As ancient as Babylon, Samarkand has seen many an avatar, re-emerging time and again as a great city, under Alexander the Great, the Sassanians, and not least, Timur the Lame (Tamerlane), who made it his capital.
Visit the ancient Registan, with its golden sandstone gates and pale blue domes. The Ulugh Begh observatory was built in the 1400s by the astronomer Ulugh Begh and is considered one of the finest examples of its era. Samarkand’s romance is exemplified in the beautiful architecture of the Gur-i-Amir Mausoleum. It’s precise geometry, beautiful Persian motifs, and touches of gold make it an architectural marvel. Samarkand continues to embrace the traditions of its ancestors and crafts such as embroidery, weaving, copper and ceramic work and wood engraving continue to be an integral part of the city’s culture. Explore the charms of this cultural oasis on the ancient Silk Road with Exeter International.
For custom luxury travel and tours to Samarkand and Uzbekistan, please contact one of our travel experts.
