Bibi-Khanym Cathedral Mosque
The Bibi-Khanym Mosque is one of the most grandiose structures in Uzbekistan. The building is conveniently located on the pedestrian tourist route from the Gur-Emir Mausoleum to the Shakhi Zinda mausoleum ensemble.
History of the mosque
Bibi-Khanym was built as the main cathedral mosque of Samarkand. According to the idea of the customer of the construction, Amir Temur, this building was supposed to outshine all the architectural complexes that he had seen before. The construction of the mosque lasted for five years, from 1399 to 1404. Masters from several countries were involved in the work.
In some sources, they write that the mosque received the name Bibi-Khanym in honor of the eldest wife of Amir Temur, who supervised the construction of the mosque during the absence of her husband. Other sources claim that no direct evidence has survived that the ruler's wife supervised the construction.
The mosque began to collapse almost immediately after the completion of the construction work. Subsequently, the building suffered from earthquakes several times.
Today the mosque is open to tourists. Entrance here is paid. There are several structures on the territory. A huge marble stand for the Quran is installed in the center.
You can walk to the mosque from Registan Square or the Shakhi Zinda mausoleum ensemble. Also nearby is another attraction — the Hazrat Khizr Mosque. The first president of Uzbekistan is buried in it.
This place on the map
Other places
Hazrat Khizr Mosque in Samarkand
A 19th-century mosque with the mausoleum of the first president of Uzbekistan
