Shah-i-Zinda, Samarkand, Uzbekistan
Visited September 2008
The
Shah-i-Zinda (literally "The living king") necropolis in Samarkand,
Uzbekistan, includes mausoleums and other buildings from the 11th to
19th centuries CE. Legend says that a cousin of the prophet Muhammad
was buried there, although there's no trace of anything relating to him
now.
There are three sets
of buildings, all on a steep hill on the outskirts of Samarkand,
connected by arched and domed passages. Over 20 buildings form the
complex, with a number decorated with wonderful blue and green tiles on
the walls, interiors and the domed roofs. Most of the buildings date
from the 14th-15th centuries, with only bases and some headstones of the
earlier buildings remaining.
Should
you find yourself here, make sure you've got at least half a day free
for exploring - each building is decorated in a different way, and
you'll need a good guidebook or tour guide to at least introduce you to
the site. It costs about $10 to get in (maybe a little more now) but if
you've traveled all the way to Central Asia you won't want to miss this
place!
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