Beyond the Registan, Samarkand holds some of the most sacred and beautiful religious monuments of the Islamic world. Two of them in particular draw pilgrims and admirers alike: the shimmering avenue of tombs known as Shah-i-Zinda, and the colossal Bibi-Khanym Mosque.
Shah-i-Zinda: The Living King
Shah-i-Zinda, meaning “the living king,” is a narrow street of mausoleums climbing a hillside, each one wrapped in intricate blue and turquoise tilework. The site grew up around a shrine traditionally associated with Kusam ibn Abbas, a cousin of the Prophet Muhammad believed by local tradition to have brought Islam to the region. For centuries pilgrims have come to visit the shrine, and the surrounding tombs of royalty and nobility turned the lane into an open-air gallery of medieval craftsmanship.
The Bibi-Khanym Mosque
Commissioned by Timur after his campaigns in India, the Bibi-Khanym Mosque was intended to be the grandest in the Islamic world. Its enormous portal and ribbed dome still impress today, even though the building suffered earthquakes and centuries of decay before modern restoration. Legends about the mosque’s construction and the queen for whom it was named are still told by guides in the city.
A Place of Pilgrimage
For believers, these sites are far more than architectural wonders. Visiting the shrine of a companion of the Prophet’s family is an act of devotion, and many come to pray quietly amid the tiled domes. Travellers are welcome to share in the atmosphere, dressing modestly and moving respectfully among those who come to worship.
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