Samarkand - The Ancient Silk Road City in Photos

Once regarded by travelers as one of the greatest cities in the world, Samarkand has since fallen off of the map, lost in a region barely visited by foreigners. In the late 14th century, Samarkand was the pride of the Islamic world. Honored guests like Marco Polo experienced Samarkand and brought back tales of "a very large and splendid city" with monuments larger than life.

Conquerors like Alexander the Great and Genghis Khan took over Samarkand, but even the merciless Mongol Emperor spared the beauty of Samarkand, refusing to lay waste to the city's many stunning monuments, mosques and mausoleums.

For travelers today, Samarkand still retains its ancient splendor. Even in this modernized world where buildings tower to the clouds, the massive edifices and intricate craftsmanship remain a site to marvel. Walking around the city is like stepping back into the glory of the silk road days, when travelling merchants came here to sell or buy their goods. Markets are still bustling, and the atmosphere is still alive with that unmistakable old-world charm. This is Samarkand... in photos.

For our personal experience in Samarkand, Click Here.

Samarkand in 1871 (via Antiquities of Samarkand Museum)

Gur-E-Amir Mosque Viewed At Night

Local Uzbek Women Going For A Stroll Through The Ancient City

Bread Salesman Up Early

Typical Mausoleum Entrance In Samarkand

Inside The Avenue Of Mausoleums

Bibi-Khanym Mosque From The Side

Domed Mausoleum Ceiling

Spices In The Samarkand Market

Delicious Tomato Snack At The Samarkand Market

A Colourful Stroll Through Samarkand

The Great Bibi-Khanym

An Intricately Painted Dome Ceiling

Looking Up In Awe Of Samarkand

Ladies Day Out

The Registan (Samarkand's Premier Sight) From The Front

The Registan In The Morning

A New Photo With An Old Feel

More and more people are making their way to Central Asia and above photos highlight one of the regions true highlights. If you're looking for a step into history and a view of Islamic architecture at its finest, then Samarkand might just be the place for you. Safe, stunning and captivating, this is one of the most remarkable ancient cities on Earth.