Samarkand – Heart of Uzbekistan

Not far, warm, exotic, cheap, and everyone speaks our. This is Samarkand – Hospitable asian city In the heart of Uzbekistan, an amazing and distinctive country with ancient history.

After independence in 1991, Uzbekistan renamed Uzbekistan. Tashkent turned into Tosokent, and Bukhara and at all in Bochoro. But only Ancient Samarkand Some miracle remained Samarkand. It half a million city in the Valley of the Zeravshan River almost 3000 years, And almost all this time, he was considered a key point on the Great Silk Road. Samarkand was repeatedly the capital of states who have formed around this rich intersection. The last time he was the main city of the Uzbek SSR from 1925 to 1930. After which the capital was transferred to Tashkent.

Timur and his team

Samarkand is inextricably linked with the name of Tamerlan – Great Communion Middle Ages. Here his name is Emir Timur. It was Tamerlan who did Samarkand The capital of his state (and the Empire of Timurid in the XV century has occupied almost all Central Asia, the Middle East and the Caucasus) and turned it into the city of majestic architecture, the Center for Enlightenment, Industry, Sciences and Arts. All famous medieval buildings of the city are associated with Timur and his descendants.

In Samarkand on Registan Street is Tamerlane’s grave "GUR-EMIR" – Family Mausoleum of Timurides, rules here more than 100 years. In the evenings in the park next to this monumental tomb include multicolored musical fountains, Attracting tourists and locals here. In total, the main square of the city was spread in a kilometer from the Mausoleum – the famous architectural ensemble Registan. Once here was the largest University of Central Asia, consisting of a complex of three madrasas – medieval educational institutions, where in addition to the Quran, mathematics, medicine and astronomy were studied. Now these huge structures – Madrasa Ulugbek, Till Kari and Sherdor – perfectly renovated, but instead of lectures there are souvenirs in them.

A little apart from Square Registan hustled Bib Han Mosque, What is translated as "senior princess" built In honor of Tamerlan’s main wife. This Khanum used the absolute confidence of the leader, although not a single heir bore, and he was generally a melanoe widow. Her role in the life of the Great Conqueror is not fully clear, but, apparently, Far from romantic. Rather, it was a marriage for calculating. Local guides say that "Bibi Hanoe" is actually means "Mrs. Grandma".

Long century this mosque Was in launch and by the end of the last century it turned out to be almost completely destroyed – only walls remained from it, there was no dome nor minarets. All this was restored in recent years, already During the independence of Uzbekistan. However, some Samarkandans are unhappy with the fact that the new dome was for a third below that they built in the XV century at Tamerlane. But even in the trimmed form, the mosque was very big, and people close to her like ants. In the courtyard of the building stands Stone table with stand for the Quran. It is believed that this subject has a magical property to fulfill desire and cures from infertility.

Tashkent Street

Next to the former Islamic university passes the Native Street of the First President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov – Tashkent, now named after him. Here is the school in which he studied. And a little further, on the hill, there is another important sight of Samarkand – Mausoleum complex Shahi-Zinda. From the top of the hill, a breathtaking view of the register opens, and a little below is the whole city of ancient crypts, more like palaces. Here Ultra-Khanum is resting under the blue domes – the second and most beloved wife of Timur, as well as his sister and nieces, the warlords of his army and other noble Samarkands, and there was an extensive contemporary burial around, Where under marble and granite are relatives of the president, He himself, as well as thousands of people easier.

Bazaar

Between the Palace Complex of Registan and the city cemetery Shahi-Zinda next to the Bibi Hannaya Mosque is located Main city market – Siabsky. Here he is called just a bosor. Samarkand Bozor – The second largest in the country after Tashkent. His brightness of the Sutol begins immediately at the high forged gates, where you will meet the tops of the Gypsies and friendly currency – well dressed guys with huge cash packs in their hands. Under the big blue canopy, under small multicolored umbrellas and just under the scorching sun There is a brisk trading. Flushed tubette and chhalms, fruits and spices flamded, brocade sparkles on the shelves, glitters silk and velvet gently glows. Green Uryuk Roads with Yellow Apricot, Giant Strawberry – With Glossy Crescent. Bright Uzbek textiles put on the most beautiful, gray-row men on topchains pour vodka from teapots in the digests in the hope that the Most High thinks that this is tea.

Here you can widow turn fruit and oriental sweets, Tracing a lot of bathrobes and tubeteks, to bargain from the heart for some paint handkerchief, and then relax on the veranda teahouse (here it is called "Choyjun") in the very center of the Bosor. From here, on top, sitting in a cool shadow behind a plate of shurts or lagman, nice to watch, How local boys carry entire pyramids of hot round pyles on their heads, Uzbeks with trolleys make complex maneuvers among the goods unfolded on Earth, and the cook in the cap is in a hurry from meat rows with a cow’s foot under the arm.

However, the Siabsky Bazaar was not always the main market of Samarkand. Five hundred years ago at his place stood housing of artisans, and all trading took place nearby, at Chorsa Bazaar. In the XV century there was located here The largest at the time of the Samarkand Shopping Center, Which then was the capital of the region. This miraculously preserved an ancient indoor market under a round dome is now used as an art gallery, where the works of Uzbek artists are exhibited.

Uzbek food so Tasty and uncommunicable – Recipes of the most popular national dishes take their beginning in ancient times, when the entire population of Central Asia led a nomadic lifestyle. In the XXI century technology cooking has changed little. Cast iron cauldron, clay tandoor and open fire of the fire allowing and today to prepare any authentic Uzbek dish – from Beshbarmak to samsa. In Samarkand, there are many beautiful restaurants with a rich menu, especially on Central Street Registan. From morning to evening, climbing tourists, promising several varieties of pilas, Wide range of kebabs, fish, lamb, horseback and, of course, a complete set of European dishes. However, local residents are rare there.

Samarkand Prefer to eat in teahouses and harchers of the old city, which at first glance are similar, rather on the garages, rather than on the establishment of a catering. In these unassuming canteens, you can get a full and delicious dinner for two (shuffle, lagman, kebab, salad and tea) for the price of one Moscow cup of coffee. There you will find out that the real Samarkand pilaf is prepared and served in the morning, Best time – from 11 to hour. At least once again wake up early to see how the cook pulls out of the Kazan Pilaf, similar to the scheme of geological layers of the earth in the context: the core, mantle, earthly bark ..

And the most delicious in the city is considered pilaf, which is distributed in the market for free. All wishing, but only on certain days. You can clarify the nearest date from any Samarkand.