Medieval monuments

"Medieval monuments" is one of reasons to visit Uzbekistan. There are hundreds of architectural monuments from various epochs on the Central Asian plains. Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva, Shakhrisabz, Termez, and Kokand are among the most well-known. These cities were scientific and artistic epicenters. To commemorate Alexander the Great and Gengiz Khan, great architects erected world-famous monuments of ancient architecture such as palaces, mosques, and mausoleums. Many of these masterpieces did not survive, but by visiting those that have, visitors can view pages of history.

Uzbekistan's answer to India's Taj Mahal is the UNESCO-listed Registan in Samarkand. This economic complex of World Heritage Buildings graces postcards and the covers of guidebooks, and it is the number one destination for Uzbek tourists. However, the Registan is only one of hundreds of breathtakingly gorgeous medieval monuments scattered throughout Uzbekistan. The Gur-i Amir (Emperor Timur's mausoleum) is thought to be the architectural model for both Babur's Tomb in Kabul and Humayun's Tomb in Delhi. The Kalyon Minaret in Bukhara (another UNESCO World Heritage Site) was the only structure in the city to survive destruction by Genghis Khan, and it is flanked by the Kalyon Mosque and the Mir-i Arab Madrassa, both of which are decorated with the mesmerising patterns of tiles and glazed turquoise domes that are so evocative of the Silk Road.