Bibi - Khanym Mosque - Samarkand - 2013
The legend says that the mosque was built by the Timur's favorite wife, Bibi-Khanym,
in honour of his return from a battle in India in 1399.
Bibi Khanym means "lady of the palace". Bibi was a niece of Genghis Khan
The mosque was planned to be the most grandiose creation in Timur's new capital, Samarkand.
An architect, leading the construction of the mosque, fell madly in love with the beautiful queen,
and delayed the completion of work in any possible way.
Bibi Khanum was furious with the delay, as Timur had to come back very soon and the building still was not ready.
When the queen asked the architect to hurry with the construction of the mosque,
the architect stated a condition that the building would be ready in time, if she allowed him to kiss her.
His kiss was so hot, that it left a bright trace on the tender cheek of Bibi Khanym.
Timur returned from the successful trip. He was delighted with a gift of his wife,
a majestic cathedral mosque which was completed on time by the architect,
but he could not help noticing a trace of the kiss on the cheek of his beloved wife.
It is unknown what was happened at the end of the story.
According to one popular version Tamerlane killed the architect and ordered to bury him
in an underground mausoleum, where he placed his library.
The Arabic writing on the top of the mosque reads "the height of the mosque connects with the milky way".
A large marble Quran stand in the courtyard.
A school in Samarkand.
Next ... The Registan at Samarkand ...
The legend says that the mosque was built by the Timur's favorite wife, Bibi-Khanym,
in honour of his return from a battle in India in 1399.
Bibi Khanym means "lady of the palace". Bibi was a niece of Genghis Khan
The mosque was planned to be the most grandiose creation in Timur's new capital, Samarkand.
An architect, leading the construction of the mosque, fell madly in love with the beautiful queen,
and delayed the completion of work in any possible way.
Bibi Khanum was furious with the delay, as Timur had to come back very soon and the building still was not ready.
When the queen asked the architect to hurry with the construction of the mosque,
the architect stated a condition that the building would be ready in time, if she allowed him to kiss her.
His kiss was so hot, that it left a bright trace on the tender cheek of Bibi Khanym.
Timur returned from the successful trip. He was delighted with a gift of his wife,
a majestic cathedral mosque which was completed on time by the architect,
but he could not help noticing a trace of the kiss on the cheek of his beloved wife.
It is unknown what was happened at the end of the story.
According to one popular version Tamerlane killed the architect and ordered to bury him
in an underground mausoleum, where he placed his library.
The Arabic writing on the top of the mosque reads "the height of the mosque connects with the milky way".
A large marble Quran stand in the courtyard.
A school in Samarkand.
Next ... The Registan at Samarkand ...
