The Bibi-Khanym Mosque stands in Samarkand, in the Samarkand Region of Uzbekistan. It is an attraction of the old city, and a visit to it is a chance to see a large mosque from the 15th century up close.
The mosque was built by Timur, and it was made in honor of his wife. It was once counted among the largest mosques in the Islamic world, and its scale still shapes the experience of walking through it. The building is massive, and the visitor is likely to feel how much space it was designed to hold.
What to look for
- The tilework, which the description singles out as one of the building's most striking features
- The architecture, with its grand scale and its sense of monumental design
- The setting, as a 15th-century building set in a city known for its historic sites
Planning the visit
Because the mosque is a major structure, it suits a slow visit. Give yourself time to walk the courtyard and to look at the detail of the walls, rather than passing through quickly. Samarkand itself offers other historic places to see nearby, so the mosque can be one stop in a longer day exploring the city.
Visitors who enjoy large historic buildings and fine decoration will find the Bibi-Khanym Mosque a rewarding place to spend an hour or more.