Bibi-Khanum Mosque
From the famous hill called "Afrasiab", you can see a less famous architectural monument of Uzbekistan, which was built in the 14th or 15th century—this is the Bibi Khanum mosque.
The Bibi Khanum Mosque is a very large structure. It is one of the four biggest historical monuments in Uzbekistan.
The Bibi Khanum Mosque is a very large structure. It is one of the four biggest historical monuments in Uzbekistan.
The mosque's name translates as "Elder wife," and it was built in honor of favorite Tamerlane's wife following his successful campaign in India. Combining state authority and religion, the mosque occupied a special position in the life of the medieval city.
Stonemasons and skilled artisans from Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, and Hindustan. Only a few small and large mosques and minarets have survived to this day carried out the construction.
Archaeologists, historians, and scientists discovered that Bibi-Sanam occupied a 167 x 109 m area thanks to their research. The height of the main dome was equal to the height of the mosque portal. The patio was 54 x 76 m.
Around the perimeter of the courtyard were a small mosque and a gallery with 480 columns. The small mosque was built with bricks and ganch. The building was decorated in the style of a famous majolica technique, which is a mix of carved mosaic and unglazed bricks.
The interior was decorated with ornaments of plants and geometric figures and, of course, gold-plated products made of papier-mâché. In jewelry, carved marble, paintings on plaster, carved wood, and a large number of other decorations are present.
The only thing the architects failed to account for were frequent earthquakes. With such size, in spite of the deep moat and thick walls, the mosque starts to collapse very quickly.
Renovation and reconstruction of the mosque continue to this day. The architects were able to build some external and internal domes, as well as restore the interiors and walls of small mosques. Also saved was a marble reading desk for the Koran, created under Mirza Ulugbek's rule.
Our travel agency, "Orient Mice," will be happy to provide you with transport, hotel, and professional guides who will show you not only the city, but also tell you amazing stories about the architectural monuments of Samarkand.
Stonemasons and skilled artisans from Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, and Hindustan. Only a few small and large mosques and minarets have survived to this day carried out the construction.
Archaeologists, historians, and scientists discovered that Bibi-Sanam occupied a 167 x 109 m area thanks to their research. The height of the main dome was equal to the height of the mosque portal. The patio was 54 x 76 m.
Around the perimeter of the courtyard were a small mosque and a gallery with 480 columns. The small mosque was built with bricks and ganch. The building was decorated in the style of a famous majolica technique, which is a mix of carved mosaic and unglazed bricks.
The interior was decorated with ornaments of plants and geometric figures and, of course, gold-plated products made of papier-mâché. In jewelry, carved marble, paintings on plaster, carved wood, and a large number of other decorations are present.
The only thing the architects failed to account for were frequent earthquakes. With such size, in spite of the deep moat and thick walls, the mosque starts to collapse very quickly.
Renovation and reconstruction of the mosque continue to this day. The architects were able to build some external and internal domes, as well as restore the interiors and walls of small mosques. Also saved was a marble reading desk for the Koran, created under Mirza Ulugbek's rule.
Our travel agency, "Orient Mice," will be happy to provide you with transport, hotel, and professional guides who will show you not only the city, but also tell you amazing stories about the architectural monuments of Samarkand.
