Legends & Festivals
Mystical stories and cultural heritage
Spring Festival of Navruz
The Spring Festival of Navruz: a historical and cultural celebration along the Great Silk Road Navruz – a new day, a great day of the people, a holiday, the first …
Legend of Shahi Zinda
Legend of Shahi Zinda: A spiritual treasure from the history of Samarkand Samarkand – there is no other city in the Orient that equals it in beauty. The best paper …
Legend about the Founding of Samarkand
Legend about the Founding of Samarkand: the origins of a legendary city in Central Asia The Shaikh Najm ad-Dīn Abū Ḥafṣ ‘Umar ibn Muḥammad an-Nasafī, who was a teacher of …
Legend about the building of the mosque Bibi-Khanum
Legend about the building of the mosque Bibi-Khanum: an era of architectural splendour and cultural heritage Bibi-Khanum was Temur’s favourite wife and the most beautiful woman in his Harem. When &hel
Legend of Bibi-Hanum and the Snake
Legend of Bibi-Hanum and the snake: a tale of bravery and overcoming Legend has it that one day a dervish came to Bibi-Hanum and during a conversation predicted, among other …
Legend of Gur Emir
Legend of Gur Emir: A symbol of power and elegance in Samarkand There is a legend about the jade tombstone of Amir Temur in Gur Emir. The Chinese believe that …
Legend of Chupan-Ata
Legend of Chupan-Ata: An inspiring story from the history of Central Asia According to legend of Chupan-Ata, a cruel king lived more than a thousand years before the Prophet. He …
Mystery of the Hill Afrasiab
Mystery of the Hill Afrasiab: A journey through the history of Central Asia It rises in the northern part of the city. In the rainy season it is flooded with …
Legend of Ishratkhona Mausoleum
First Legend of Ishratkhona Mausoleum One day, in the suburbs of Samarkand, Amir Temur was riding through the cemetery of Hodja Abdi Darun and saw a woman of indescribable beauty …
Legend of the Mausoleum Chashma Ayyub
Legend of the Mausoleum Chashma Ayyub: a historical jewel of spirituality and reverence The Chashma Ayyub mausoleum, also known as the “Source of Job”, is a fascinating architectural wonder and &helli
Legend of Kalon Minaret
Legend of Kalon Minaret: a legacy of splendor and spirituality in Bukhara Many legends are associated with the tallest minaret in Central Asia, the Kalon Minaret in Bukhara. The Kalon …
40 Steps from Shahi Zinda
40 Steps from Shahi Zinda: a jewel of Central Asian architecture and spirituality When you step through the entrance portal of Shahi Zinda, a world full of legends and mysteries …
Legend of Khan Atlas
Legend of Khan Atlas: The splendour and culture of Uzbek textile tradition The legend of Khan-Atlas tells of a ruler of Margilan who fell madly in love with the daughter …
Legend of Mausoleum Daniel
Legend of Mausoleum Daniel: A historical tale of awe and reverence Along the Siyab, a tributary of the Zerafshan, lies a sacred place steeped in blessings. Here, according to legend, …
Legend of Tomiris – Queen of the Massagets
Legend of Tomiris – Queen of the Massagets: An epic chapter in history In the vastness of the Eurasian steppe, the legendary nomadic warriors of the Scythians once ruled – …
Kirk Kiz – the Legend of the Warrior Girls
Kirk Kiz – the legend of the Warrior Girls: A story of courage and determination For thousands of years, legends of fearless women, the Amazons, have fascinated history. Numerous armies …
Heavenly horses of Ferghana
The Legend of the Argamaks: Heavenly Horses of Ferghana In 104 BC, Emperor Wu-Di of China dispatched a powerful cavalry of 60,000 men to Dawan. The reason for the war …
The Legend of Shirak
The Legend of Shirak: An Epic of Courage, Honor, and Eternal Love In the seventh century BC, the Scythian tribes dwelling to the east along the lower Syr Darya launched …
Legends of the Silk Road
Legends of the Silk Road: Exploring the Cultural and Historical Significance Along the Ancient Trade Route The annals of history unveil a tapestry of enigma woven along the routes of …
Music Festival Sharq Taronalari
Music Festival Sharq Taronalari: Harmonious Melodies from Around the World The Music Festival Sharq Taronalari (Melodies of the East) was first held in Samarkand in 1997. Since then, the festival &hel
The Samarkand Marathon 2025: A Global Celebration of Sport, Culture, and Heritage
The Samarkand Marathon 2025: Where Sport Meets Heritage – this year, as part of the 43rd UNESCO General Conference, the “KIDS RUN” kicked off in Samarkand, featuring races for children …
Where Heritage Becomes a Journey: Uzbekistan’s Rise of Living Villages and Cultural Tourism
From Ancient Communities to Global Destinations: How a Historic Village Sayrob in Boysun Reflects Uzbekistan’s Rise of Living Villages and Cultural Tourism As the world enters a new chapter of travel