Samarkand is a special city.
Samarkand is one of the oldest cities in the world, founded in 742 BC (VIII century BC), the centre of the historic area and the state Sogdiana. More than two thousand years the city was a key point on the silk road between China and Europe, as well as one of the main centers of science medieval East.
I always thought Samarkand, for the most part, looks like this…
But it turned out that Samarkand, for the most part, looks like this:
And here it is:
In fact, medieval Islamic monuments occupy a very small area.
Did not expect this from classic Central Asian cities age of 2800 years.
Even local Souvenirs do not correspond to geographic location.
The Center Of Samarkand.
All these photos were taken within a few minutes walk to Registan, the Central square of Samarkand.
Samarkand is the second largest and population city of Uzbekistan.
The modern name of the city “Samarkand” is derived from Turkic “Semiz Kent”, which means “Rich settlement”.
In 2001, the city and its historical, architectural and archaeological monuments was inscribed on the world heritage list of UNESCO under the name “Samarkand — crossroads of cultures”.
The cinema “star of the East”.
It’s great that all this old maintained in excellent condition, plaster does not fray, all renovated and painted. And even on the facades of absolutely no advertising.
Wonderfully preserved details. Ever here put a modern window frame which do not have such forms.
In Samarkand there is one of the most beautiful post offices I’ve ever to send cards. The unique combination of the Russian style and Eastern motifs. Even the repair of shoes under the porch not spoil the experience.
Hotel “Registan” 20 years operating in the style of Russian constructivism.
The drama.
The building of the late Soviet period “pangaral” on the facade.
Surprisingly, when surrounded by such beauty, Samarkand manage in our time to build such salaujou.
Despite the abundance of old Russian buildings, the many details given to know that you’re in Uzbekistan. The same men in skullcaps.
By the way, in Central Asia, every major city or region has its own kind of embroidery and pattern on it. For example, in Tashkent, often small cap, like a bowl, put on they on top of as a Jewish Kipa. Samarkand is the same skullcap large and elongated.
In addition toupees, a sure indication that you are in Central Asia are numerous picturesque tea house.
Central Asian teahouse is absolutely unusual for us follows: all visitors sit on the couch. Very comfortable design: ate tight and seated off to take a NAP on the pillows.
All food service establishments are very funny advertising pillars.
In Samarkand we first saw the incredibly fun detail, later seen in other provincial cities of Uzbekistan: many women go on the street in the red velour house Slippers.
These Slippers are all women exactly the same in shape, color and pattern. In one of the stores that we found selling the shoes, and in the Department of household goods. It turns out, produce red Slippers in Moldova.
The old Soviet war memorial was demolished and replaced with a new set, exactly the same as in other cities of Uzbekistan: wall with wooden posts and books with brass sheets with the lists of the dead.
Samarkand eternal flame.
In the city some great pedestrian areas, which in the evening is very pleasant to walk through.
Perfect cleanliness and order in the tourist city of Uzbekistan supports a large army of janitors.
They seem to sweep the pavement from morning to evening, very often they meet.
Like doves, along the streets freely peacocks.
A disabled person in the electric chair.
In Samarkand we came from Tashkent by speed train “Afrosiab”. Due to the shape of the locomotive it is sometimes called the “platypus”.
The maximum speed of the composition is 230 km/h. 344 kilometers the train passes exactly two hours.
Ancient monuments of Oriental architecture, from which the town received worldwide fame.
Here’s a Samarkand!
© 2017, paradox. All rights reserved.
