BibiKhanym Mosque Tourism

Bibi-Khanym Mosque is a significant historical mosque located in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. It was one of the largest and most magnificent mosques in the Islamic world during the 15th century. This grandiose structure was commissioned by the Turco-Mongol conqueror Timur, also known as Tamerlane, after his victorious military campaign in India. The construction was completed between 1399 and 1404 and was said to have been designed to reflect Timur's power and the richness of his empire. The mosque was named after Timur's beloved wife, Bibi-Khanym. The primary entrance, flanked by colossal marble pillars, features intricate mosaic and calligraphic work that is breathtakingly detailed. The main mosque building is encompassed by a courtyard, with minarets that once soared to the heavens but now are partially crumbled due to age, neglect, and a devastating earthquake in the late 19th century. Despite suffering significant damage over the centuries, restoration efforts have been underway to preserve its former glory, making it a prominent tourist attraction and a symbol of the historical prominence of Samarkand as a center of culture and Islamic learning.