Hi! I decided to start this year with a story about a stroll through one of the most beautiful cities I have ever visited. It's the famous Samarkand. Surely, my route might seem unusual to some because, in addition to the amazing bright monuments of ancient architecture, it includes, for example, a visit to the Catholic cathedral and a partially ruined ancient mausoleum.
Trip from Tashkent to Samarkand
If for the trip to Bukhara, I preferred a flight, this time I opted for a train journey. Locals recommended this method because the train offers beautiful views from the windows.
Buying a train ticket from Tashkent to Bukhara or Samarkand is not an easy task. During the peak tourist season, seats on high-speed routes are taken very quickly. Probably the most well-known train to Samarkand among tourists is Afrosiyob, but on the day I planned the trip, there were no tickets left for it, so I chose a train called Sharq. Online, it is mentioned that the first option offers a higher level of comfort.
The journey took about three and a half hours, and Sharq reached speeds of up to 120 kilometers per hour. The cost of a round-trip ticket for two passengers was 445,720 Uzbekistani soms (November 2023).
In the cold season in Samarkand, it is quite possible to find an inexpensive network hotel.
Interesting Places in Samarkand: Roman Catholic Church of St. John the Baptist
As promised, let's start the route with an unconventional attraction, the Roman Catholic Church of St. John the Baptist. The building is located in the central part of the city, and I walked here from the monument to Amir Timur. On the way, I came across a small cozy square and the Cathedral of St. Alexis of Moscow.
The neo-Gothic building of the Catholic Church of St. John the Baptist was built in 1916. Today, the landmark is open to visitors. On the day of my journey, there was not a single person here, so I calmly photographed the interiors of the building.
The church's address is 86 Makhmud Koshgari.
Gur-e Amir Mausoleum
About a 20-minute walk from the church building is one of the most famous landmarks in Samarkand, the Gur-e Amir Mausoleum. The complex is known for being the burial place of Amir Timur (Tamerlane).
The mausoleum for Muhammad Sultan, the beloved grandson of Amir Timur, was built in 1404. Just a year later, Amir Timur himself was buried here. The burials of other grandchildren and sons of the famous commander are also located here.
The address of the attraction is 1/4, Universitetskiy Boulevard Bustonsaroy St. In the fall of 2023, the cost of admission here was 30,000 Uzbekistani soms.
Architectural Ensemble of Registan
The Registan Square is among the top tourist destinations in the city. The view of this architectural ensemble has become a hallmark not only of Samarkand but also of the whole of Uzbekistan. The complex consists of three magnificent madrasahs: Ulugh Beg, Sher-Dor, and Tilya-Kori.
Once, the main city bazaar was located on this site. The madrasahs were built in the 15th-17th centuries.
Today, a huge number of tourists stroll here. Souvenir shops are open on the territory of each madrasah, and you can buy local clothing or just take a few photos in it.
The cost of visiting the complex is 50,000 soms. I should note that tourists don't necessarily have to spend money on a ticket; if a traveler only needs a few overview photos of the Registan Square, this can be easily done from the observation platform located near the fence.
Ishratkhana Mausoleum
I arrived in Samarkand after lunch, so on the first day of my trip, I managed to see only three attractions. The next morning began with a trip to the Ishratkhana Mausoleum, which is located away from the main historical monuments of the city.
The complex is interesting because it is in a semi-ruined state. Rather, it was until recently. Reconstruction work is currently underway. During my visit, the entrance to the mausoleum was closed, but a local worker noticed my interest in the object and offered to show the complex from the inside.
The Ishratkhana Mausoleum is the tomb of the Timurids. The building was constructed in the 15th century. Under the main hall of the building, there is a burial vault with twenty tombs.
Bibi-Khanym Mosque
At the next stage of the route, I faced a choice: enter the Bibi-Khanym Mosque or leave time for a walk through the Hazrat Khizr Mosque. I chose the latter option, so in this part of the material, there are only photos of the facade of the building and an overview photo of its territory.
The mosque was built from 1399 to 1404. It is believed to have received its name thanks to the wife of Amir Timur, although some sources claim that there were no historical grounds for this.
It seemed to me that even compared to the massive structures of the Registan Square, the mosque complex looks simply enormous. Its entrance portal has a height of more than 33 meters.
Hazrat Khizr Mosque
The small mosque is named after the patron saint of travelers, the prophet Khizr. The complex, where once stood a pagan cult structure, was built in the mid-19th century. The building is located on a high hill, providing a view of the northern part of the city.
In 2018, a mausoleum for the first president of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Islam Karimov, appeared on the complex's territory.
The complex is open to tourists for free.
Shah-i-Zinda Ensemble of Mausoleums
Having seen enough of the beautiful architecture by the end of the day, I was sure that nothing could surprise me anymore. However, the last point of my route can be considered one of the most impressive places in Uzbekistan.
The Shah-i-Zinda Ensemble is a complex of many mausoleums that form a small street. Tourists come here to take photos against the backdrop of the amazing vibrant facades of the tombs.
The history of the name of this place is interesting. Shah-i-Zinda means "Living King." This refers to the legend of the Prophet Muhammad's cousin, who, according to tradition, took refuge here underground after being wounded and continues to live in the depths of the hill to this day.
The entrance fee to the complex is 40,000 soms. Payment for admission can be made in cash or with international credit cards.
I will start a detailed overview of the attractions of Samarkand with a story about the Roman Catholic Church of St. John the Baptist.
Have a nice trip!
Samarkand: Budget Trip for Two for 1 Day (November 2023)
- Sharq train from Tashkent to Bukhara and back: 445,720 Uzbekistani soms
- Hotel in Samarkand, 4 stars for 1 night: 1,164,000 soms
- Entrance fees to attractions, without guided tours: 240,000 soms
- Taxi: 126,000 soms
- Total for two travelers: 1,975,720 soms
