A whole bunch of cities bursting with history at every turn: here’s what awaits you if you travel with us to Uzbekistan!
Uzbekistan is mind-blowing.
I mean, seriously, absolutely mind-blowing!
It’s one of the most spectacular countries you can visit with Sto Gran Tour, and the strangest thing is that it’s still relatively little known.
On the one hand, that’s a good thing, because anyone heading to this wonder doesn’t have to deal with crowds of annoying... well, tourists on every street corner. Still, it’s honestly crazy that a place this incredible gets so little attention.
Have you also overlooked the amazing wonder that is Uzbekistan until now?
Let’s fix that right away: here’s a little taste of what it has to offer!
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Tashkent
Tashkent is seriously impressive!
At first glance, it might seem like a large, modern city that’s a bit impersonal, but if you really explore it... BOOM! So many incredible things to see!
Let’s start with the Kukeldash Madrasa, located near the lively Chorsu Bazaar. This Quranic school, dating back to the 16th century, is one of the city’s most important monuments, a place where the educational and religious past blends with the present. Just a short walk away, you’ll reach the Mausoleum of Kaffal Shashi, an important landmark for Muslims and an excellent example of local Islamic architecture.
Not far from here stands the Barak Khan Madrasa, founded in the 16th century, whose intricate majolica decorations bear witness to ancient wisdom and the continuity of religious tradition in the region.
Another outstanding sight is the Jami Mosque, also known as the Hazrati Imam Mosque, located in the heart of the city’s religious quarter. This mosque is not only a place of worship, but also part of a complex that houses a rich collection of ancient manuscripts, including a copy of the Quran dating back to the 8th century.
Absolutely incredible!
Samarkand
Samarkand is on another level. It’s one of those cities that leaves you speechless the moment you see it.
As ancient as time itself, this city witnessed the deeds of Alexander the Great and one of history’s most controversial figures.
I know what you’re thinking, but no, it’s not Vittorio Sgarbi.
It’s Tamerlane, who, for anyone not too familiar with him, was kind of like Genghis Khan multiplied by a thousand, but he also made Samarkand absolutely extraordinary.
The beating heart of Samarkand is undoubtedly the Registan, a complex of madrasas that are not just schools, but true architectural masterpieces. Walking among these buildings, you can’t help but imagine the students of the time, who probably regretted being born whenever exam time came around—just like us, except they did it in unbelievably luxurious surroundings.
Then there’s the majestic Gur-e Amir Mausoleum, which houses Tamerlane’s tomb. An old legend said that when his tomb was opened, a curse would be unleashed, bringing war and destruction.
In 1941, it was opened, and coincidence or not, that very same day Hitler launched Operation Barbarossa, beginning the invasion of the Soviet Union.
Let’s not tempt fate.
And then there’s the Bibi-Khanym Mosque, once one of the largest in the Islamic world. Legend has it that it was built by one of Tamerlane’s wives to impress him, but during his absence she unfortunately fell for the architect. Things did not end well for the architect, as you can imagine, but at least he left behind this architectural wonder as a reminder of their forbidden love.
Bukhara
Bukhara could easily be described as a city straight out of One Thousand and One Nights.
For a long time, it was a key center in the tug-of-war between the Russian and British Empires, and Bukhara has an absolutely magnetic charm.
Walking through its narrow streets, you may come across places like the Ark, a fortress that tells stories of emirs and political intrigue, or the Kalon Minaret, so imposing that even Genghis Khan decided to spare it.
Then there are endless madrasas and minarets, because by now you’ve probably understood that Uzbekistan has them on practically every corner.
And so many other things we won’t even try to tell you about, otherwise we’d be here all night. Just know that, strolling through the city at sunset, it feels as though you’ve been thrown back in time: among the bazaars, the scent of spices, and the sounds of traditional music, Bukhara has the power to make you forget what century you’re in!
Incredible.
Shakhrisabz
Ah, that little treasure of Sharkisb... Skabrizh... Sbazkir... Anyway, that place we wrote above.
This town is not only the birthplace of that rascal Tamerlane, but also a concentration of history, a place where the past blends with... well, even more past!
Shakhrisabz had its glorious days, and the magnificent remains of palaces such as Ak-Saray are proof of that. Although today only the foundations and part of the majestic entrance portal remain, it’s not hard to imagine the splendor of former times, when Tamerlane probably walked these walls between one conquest and the next.
Our hero, though, wasn’t just tough as nails. He was more layered than that, and we know it thanks to the Jehangir Mausoleum, built for Tamerlane’s favorite son. Because even in the toughest families, there’s always a favorite child.
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In conclusion
Uzbekistan is a destination you should visit at least once, one of those places that can truly change you. From the historical grandeur of Samarkand to the quiet streets of Shakhrisabz, every corner seems to whisper stories from the past, and every monument has a tale to tell—probably with more twists and turns than a soap opera.
We’re doing an epic 10-day self-drive tour, because we never like to miss out on anything. So, what do you say—shall we set off together?
