We reach Samarcanda with a 4 hour train trip directly from Bukhara. The name of Samarcanda is our mind synonymous of the silk road, great adventure and amazing treasures, all for us to discover.
The city is divided in 2 parts: the old town in the East part and modern/soviet one on the West. Obviously the best part is the east side, where you can find magnificent monuments.
Above all the Registan square, where blue, turquoise and green mosaics decorate the madras (Koranic schools) that surround the square. The three madras are called Ulug-Beg, Shir Dar e Tilla-Kari.
Even more beautiful the Shah-I-Zinda sanctuary, the name means “the tomb of the living king”. Inside the huge complex there is another sanctuary (where pilgrims stop) and other tombs for the royal family or the most important dignitaries of the Tamerlan court, among which his nephew, Ulughbek.
In the morning we suggest to visit the Bibi Khanym mosque, sunlight makes this place a wonderful picture spot. During the middle age this was the city center. It is located North of the Registan and it is the biggest building of Samarcanda. The legend says that Bibi Khanym, the Chinese wife of Tamerlan, ordered to build it as a gift for her husband returning home after many years at war. The architect who lead the construction, fell in love with the queen, and threatened to stop the work if the queen did not kiss him. Once back in Samarcanda Tamerlan knew what happened: he got the architect executed and imposed all women to wear a complete veil, so they were not a temptation for men.
In the shadow of the ruins of the mosque, you can find the Siob Bazar, a great place for pictures, buying fruits or just baked bread.
