Shakhrisabz

Shahrisabz is one of the ancient towns of the world, the coeval of Rome and Athens, Samarkand and Jerusalem. Thanks to its favorable geographical position Shahrisabz was one of the important trading points of the Great Silk Road. The town is the native land of the talented statesman and the brave commander Amir Timur who established a mighty centralized state in the XIVth century.

Recently Shahrisabz has magnificently celebrated its 2700 year anniversary. Multimeter layers of the site of the ancient settlement on which archeologists conducted excavation tell about the ancient history of the city. First settlements at the site of Shahrisabz and in its vicinities appeared in the VIII-VIIth centuries B.C. Throughout many centuries the city has witnessed joyful and dramatic events. From time to time the city fell into decay, but each time it revived again from ashes under new names – Sugda, Nautaka, Kesh, Shahrisabz, thus keeping a historical link of times. The city was exposed to the attack of armies of Persian tsars of Darius and Cirius, and also armies of Alexander the Great. Blossoming of the ancient city came only in the VII century AD. Probably, at this time it received the name of Kesh. But in 699 Kesh was besieged by Arabs and up to the middle of the VIII century the people of Kesh firmly struggled against conquerors. From 776 Kesh became the centre of struggle against the Arabian conquerors, under the leadership of Mukanna. After the defeat of this movement the city of Kesh was destroyed. Gradually new city settlement arose in 7 km to the south of destroyed Kesh, in the territory of modern Shahrisabz. From the Persian language the word of Shahrisabz means «the Green city». The translation really represents the fact, as the city is buried in the verdure of gardens and vineyards. The period of board of great Amir Timur and his descendants in the XIV-XV centuries became the period of the highest blossoming of Shahrisabz city. Timur was born in 1336 in the settlement of Hodzha Ilgor, close to the city where he spent his childhood and youth years. From 1370 the city of Samarkand became the capital of his empire, but during all 35 years of his board Timur paid great attention to his native city too. Shahrisabz became an unofficial capital of the great empire. The city received ambassadors and visitors from large states of Europe and Asia.  Well-known scientists, calligraphers, skilful masters visited this city. This promoted blossoming of art and science, trade, crafts and construction in the city.

Architects and masters from all parts of the empire: from Khoresm, Iran, Iraq and Northern India created outstanding architectural constructions in Shahrisabz. The majestic and incomparable building of "Ak-Saray" palace in translation «the White Palace» serves as an example to that. By Timur's plan the construction was to become unsurpassed by its greatness. And so it was. “Ak-Saray” palace was under construction for almost 20 years and when the construction was finished, this grandiose building amazed contemporaries with its beauty. It was the whole complex of the residential buildings grouped round several court yards. Facades of the constructions were ornated by colour tiles, and interiors were covered with gold and azure, the court yard was paved with white plates. Up to now only two pylons of the entrance arch of Ak-Saray palace have remained. During Timur’s and Timurids period ensemble city - building was extended. These are ensembles of Dorus-Tilavat and Dorus-Saodat. In 1574, during the reign of Sheibanid Abdullahan II, Shahrisabz was part of Bukhara and with time it started to lose its importance. In the XVII-XVIII centuries Shahrisabz fell into neglect and only from the middle of the XVIII century the city started reviving at the time of board of Nazarbek. During this period reconstructions works in the city and, first of all, in the well-known architectural ensembles were carried out. Now Shahrisabz is a blossoming city of Uzbekistan. Citizens hospitably and benevolently open wide their doors before visitors. The restored and trimmed monumental buildings of the Timurids epoch leave indelible impression in the memory of visitors.