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antiquity . Built between four and six hundred years ago each has it ’ s own flair to a traditional style . The ornate detail does it ’ s best to hide the construction techniques that at times seemed to defy the physics of architecture and yet the odd placement , bowed walls and leaning towers are what make the Registan so unique . Beyond the ached entrances other worlds are to be explored , each as unique as the others , with courtyards , dormitories , mosques , and lecture halls . The earliest madrasah was constructed by Ulugh Beg , Timur ’ s grandson , and become an institution regarded as the worlds centre for medieval sciences , especially in the field of astronomy .
Samarkand again fell into decline in the early eighteenth century until the rise of the Uzbek dynasty led by Muhammad Rakhim . The city continued to flourish under the rule of first the Russian and then the
Soviet Empires .
This history and place along the Silk Route have seen Samarkand recognised for many historical and cultural aspects , including being added to UNESCO ’ s list of World Heritage sites . The whole city is listed as Samarkand – Crossroads Of Cultures . I couldn ’ t disagree although did feel that perhaps the entire country of Uzbekistan should be afforded the same distinction .
The roads and riding in this part of the world aren ’ t too inspiring , the destinations certainly are . Kokand , Tashkent , and especially Samarkand , have special places in the history of the region and the greater world . All deserve the time spent fighting with traffic on mind-numbing highways as a way of paying tribute to the history , the cultures and the architecture that must be seen to be believed , for Uzbekistan is truly a crossroad of cultures . LW
TRAVERSE was invited to explore Uzbekistan and surrounding countries by RusMotoTravel as part of their Pamir Highway ride . RMT are the experts in this part of the world , offering fully supported , guided tours . For a chance to experience Uzbekistan see what RMT can do for you - rusmototravel . com
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