Pearl or the East, Amir Temur's capital, Afrosiab, center of Sogdiana, the city of legends along The Great Silk Road, described bu many in the most colorful and awe inspired expression of their time.
From monumental architecture of the middle ages to Russian baroque, there is so much to see and discover take a guided tour, listen to the facts and the legends, get wrapped up in the splendor of one of the world's most famous cities.
Take time for Samarkand

History museum
In order to get an overview over the manyfold epochs, empires, cultural contributions, the peoples and tribes, the antique crafts and remains, which recount the rich history of this region, we strongly recommend a visit to the Samarkand History Museum, See the first globe ever produced in Central Asia, stand in awe before Sogdian murals, contemplate the passing of time in the Iron Age section and on your way to the large Museum shop, step into the Yurt in the entrance court yard. On the ground floor, you find temporary special exhibitions such as the upcoming "history of paper and print" with masterpieces from the museum's own fund.

Meros
Samarkand was the second place in the world where paper was produced. In this tradition, Master Islom at the Meros center, has come out with a beautiful line of silk bound notebooks with handcrafted marbled paper. Located opposite the Museum, next to Choi Khana Chorsu.

Chai khana
In true Central Asian fashion, the bazaar around Bibi Khanum is bustling and should not be missed. For a cup of tea, a samsa from the tandjr oven, a bowl of steaming plov or skewers of shashlyk cross.

Mausoleum of Daniel
A very spiritual, holy and beautiful place indeed is the Mausoleum of Daniel. According to legend, Amir Temur brought back from one of his campaigns the remains of Daniel's hand and had the bones burried close to Afrasiab, by the small river running along the edge of the old city. The hand grew and grew and grew and lays today under the large marble tombstone. The water from the source is considered to hold healing powers and you are likely to encounter visiting pilgrims.

Silk carpet workshop
Carpets is definitely the key word on a journey to & through Central Asia, Do you have an image, a picture of your dream carpet that seemed thus far out of reach? In Samarkand, the Samarkand Silk Carpet Workshop makes dreams from all over the world come true, hand knotting silk carpets of the most varied styles, all in hand dyed Uzbek silk, just as they were produced hundreds and hundreds of years ago. Don't miss out on a tour of the workshop, the carpet producing process is fascinating and in Samarkand you get a good chance to witness the different stages the silk yarns go through before they reflect their beauty as part of a one of a kind memory from Samarkand.

Church
Samarkand is also the city of churches. Armenian church, several Orthodox churches and the Catholic Church, holding a mass every Sunday morning. You are most welcome to just step by and visit and have a look. Just off the Boulevard, about half way down towards the Navoi Statue turn right and you'll see the tower.

Galery alfia
Gallery Alfia has been an institution for artisans and crafts masters for nearly ten years, Alfia and Lena are serious patrons of the arts and the Gallery at hotel Samarkand, across from the Amir Temur statue right at the beginning of the Boulevard, makes available the finest works from all over Uzbekistan. Both ladies have excellent taste and have recently added to the ceramics, paintings, miniatures, textiles and more, their own fashion line.

Cafe blues
Cool drinks, designer interior, life piano jazz that just swings, sounds like New York, right? Well, you don't have to travel that far to get away. Right here in Samarkand at Cafe Blues you find the one place in Uzbekistan, which takes you furthest away from the ambiente of The Great Silk Road in a split second.
Edward Musaelian, jazz pianist par excellence, who has jammed with Stan Getz and Oscar Peterson, plays the whole spectrum from Chick Corea to Garner, from Gershwin to Jobim while you sit back and relax and order delicious snacks from the menu.
66 Amir Temur St.
tel: 33 62 96