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Archive for uzbekistan

Crossroad of Culture

By Linda Tancs

Designated by UNESCO as an area of Outstanding Universal Value, Samarkand is a city in Uzbekistan known for its mosques and mausoleums. Among the oldest, continuously inhabited cities in Central Asia, it’s along the Silk Road, the ancient trade route linking China to the Mediterranean. Registan Square is the symbol of the city’s history as a trade and cultural center as well as a stunning tourist attraction, boasting three ornately decorated madrassas surrounding the square on three sides. Another must-see site is the Gur-e-Amir mausoleum, a towering spectacle with an azure dome and beautiful tilework. It’s the burial place of the Mongol conqueror Timur (Tamerlane) and some of his descendants. Consider a guided sightseeing tour as English is not widely spoken.