Bibi Khanym Mosque
Bibi Khanym Mosque
4.5
About
Built between 1399 and 1404, this was one of the Islamic world's biggest mosques which crumbled for centuries before collapsing in an 1897 earthquake.
Duration: < 1 hour
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- paolovbossiThe Hague, The Netherlands848 contributionsA gem of SamarkandI loved this mosque. Our guide was telling us that the refurbishing works have been done not correctly and it has lost part of the original splendor. I cannot imagine something more splendid of what i have seen. It easy reachable with a 10min walking from Registan. The dome is spectacular, as well as the entrance. Personally one of the gems of Samarkand.Visited October 2023Traveled with familyWritten October 29, 2023
- Frances BYorkshire, United Kingdom2,711 contributionsA beautiful mosque steeped in historyBibi Khanym mosque is really beautiful. The bright turquoise colour of the domes and the beautiful architecture and coloured tiles are stunning. Like many of the buildings, different times of the day give different a light and appearance. I saw it at dusk. It is also beautifully lit when darkness falls. This mosque is the largest of its kind in Central Asia and able to hold 10,000 worshippers. Itโs age and history is staggering Definitely worth a visitVisited October 2023Traveled soloWritten November 7, 2023
- mrc282World9,576 contributionsbest accessed by footif come by taxi, you will be dropped at some confusing alley behind the main entrance of the bibi khanym mosque / mauseoleum. this is because the mosque / mausoleum is facing a pedestrian-only avenue. therefore, this place is better approached by foot. suggested routing: visit shah i zinda, hazrat khizr mosque, walk the overpass, visit siyob bazaar, then visit this place for lunch, you can consider the nearby otash osh restaurant, where plov is served starting 11 am. we visited on september 1 (independence day of uzbekistan) and this restaurant was holding a plov eating competitionVisited September 2024Traveled with familyWritten September 4, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
674 reviews
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328
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255
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9
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Igor Alexeev
Moscow, Russia133,620 contributions
Oct 2023 โข Couples
The Tamerlane Mosque (Bibi-Khanym Mosque), built at the turn of the 14th-15th centuries, is a magnificent example of medieval Central Asian architecture. By the beginning of the 20th century, the mosque complex was significantly destroyed, but has now been restored. Although the restoration work has not been completed (the interior of the mosque is at the initial stage of restoration), nevertheless, one cannot help but appreciate the grandeur of the structure. Nowadays the Bibi-Khanym Mosque is a branch of the Samarkand State Museum-Reserve, for this reason the entrance fee is 30,000 UZS per ticket...
Written February 21, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Novilia Sjafri B
130 contributions
Dec 2019 โข Family
One of the important monuments in Samarkand which was built by Amir Timur (Tamerlane) as a tribute to his wife. It is the largest mosque in the 15th century in the Islamic world. What is unique is the existence of a large Koran made of stone and dome that is above the main room. Had been hit by an earthquake in 1897.
Written January 17, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Beatriz M
Dรผsseldorf, Germany5,673 contributions
Dec 2022
The exterior is beautiful but the question is, if it is necessary to pay the entrance fee to view it from inside. Truth be told, there is not much to see, a part of it is under renovations and the parts which are not under renovation are not very impressive as the other buildings in Samarkand. However, since the entry fee is very low, I think around 3 euro, you could do it to check it out and make up your own opinion. It is a very large mosque.
Written January 8, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michael R
Rottenbach, Germany17,258 contributions
Jul 2023
I visited the Bibi Khanym Mosque in 1997, when many parts of the large ensemble of buildings were still being restored. This work has long since been completed. Whether the current "outfit" corresponds to that of a few centuries ago is an open question. Photos of the state many decades ago indicate that a large part of the mosaics and frescoes were completely destroyed, so that some traces of the reconstructions may be fictitious.
But that doesn't matter, because unlike the showpiece monument Registan, the absolute "must" for the mass flow of visitors to Samarkand, things are quieter here and you can find enough places on the diversely designed grounds to retreat to and recover from the flood of impressions. In fact, it is less of a "mosque" than a necropolis with numerous mausoleums of various personalities from the Middle Ages. The associated places of worship are excellently designed with colorful ceramics and magnificently decorated domes. Two huge, open portals with artistic latticework stand out in particular.
The neighboring, small and rather inconspicuous Bibi Khanym Mausoleum, the nearby huge Muslim cemetery and the slightly smaller Jewish cemetery, as well as the Shahi-Zinda ensemble of other mausoleums and mosques opposite, complete this district, which is even more worth seeing than the Registan with its extensive offering.
But that doesn't matter, because unlike the showpiece monument Registan, the absolute "must" for the mass flow of visitors to Samarkand, things are quieter here and you can find enough places on the diversely designed grounds to retreat to and recover from the flood of impressions. In fact, it is less of a "mosque" than a necropolis with numerous mausoleums of various personalities from the Middle Ages. The associated places of worship are excellently designed with colorful ceramics and magnificently decorated domes. Two huge, open portals with artistic latticework stand out in particular.
The neighboring, small and rather inconspicuous Bibi Khanym Mausoleum, the nearby huge Muslim cemetery and the slightly smaller Jewish cemetery, as well as the Shahi-Zinda ensemble of other mausoleums and mosques opposite, complete this district, which is even more worth seeing than the Registan with its extensive offering.
Written August 19, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
starlightShanghai
Victoria, Canada4,611 contributions
Feb 2023
The fact that the Bibi Khanym Mosque has been very heavily restored in no way detracts from the beauty of its art and architecture.
For me, one of its most outstanding features is how this enormous structure seems to change colour according to the angle of the sun.
The second most outstanding feature is its staff, especially the very kind security guard and the warmth of the lady at the ticket office. So much appreciated on an extremely cold morning in February. This feature alone takes my rating for the Bibi from a 4 up to a 5!
For me, one of its most outstanding features is how this enormous structure seems to change colour according to the angle of the sun.
The second most outstanding feature is its staff, especially the very kind security guard and the warmth of the lady at the ticket office. So much appreciated on an extremely cold morning in February. This feature alone takes my rating for the Bibi from a 4 up to a 5!
Written March 23, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mrc282
World9,576 contributions
Sep 2024 โข Family
if come by taxi, you will be dropped at some confusing alley behind the main entrance of the bibi khanym mosque / mauseoleum. this is because the mosque / mausoleum is facing a pedestrian-only avenue.
therefore, this place is better approached by foot.
suggested routing: visit shah i zinda, hazrat khizr mosque, walk the overpass, visit siyob bazaar, then visit this place
for lunch, you can consider the nearby otash osh restaurant, where plov is served starting 11 am. we visited on september 1 (independence day of uzbekistan) and this restaurant was holding a plov eating competition
therefore, this place is better approached by foot.
suggested routing: visit shah i zinda, hazrat khizr mosque, walk the overpass, visit siyob bazaar, then visit this place
for lunch, you can consider the nearby otash osh restaurant, where plov is served starting 11 am. we visited on september 1 (independence day of uzbekistan) and this restaurant was holding a plov eating competition
Written September 4, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Madan Gopal M
Bengaluru, India8,448 contributions
Oct 2022 โข Solo
An architectural wonder, this Mosque was constructed by Bibi Khanym, most favourite Chinese wife of Timur. This is one of the biggest Mosque in the heritage city of Samarkhand but unfortunately got damaged during an earthquake, now some parts are under restoration. Main entrance gate is huge, 35 mt high and quite impressive. Inner courtyard have huge marble Quran at an elevated centre. Many stories are associated with this Mosque. There is an admission ticket to enter the place.
Written November 5, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Vale
Cagliari, Italy4,350 contributions
Oct 2023 โข Couples
This construction, also called "Tamerlane's Friday Mosque" was built in the early 1400s, as the main mosque of Samarkand and the entire Timurid empire. The center of the courtyard now houses a large lectern, which supports a gigantic Koran. Already in the first decades after its construction, the mosque began to collapse, due to the enormous size of the building. The restoration of the building only began at the end of the 1900s, beginning of the 2000s, and is not yet completed.
Written October 24, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BrakiWorldTraveler
Belgrade, Serbia20,003 contributions
Oct 2024 โข Couples
Bibi Khanym Mosque is one of the most imposing in all Uzbekistan, but have in mind what you see today is a work of several rebuilding and restorations over the ages.
The original was built by Amir Temur's orders in 1399-1404 during his military campaign in India, and dedicated to his favorite wife (her Mausoleum is across the street). As he was out conquering building was left to his architect and there're rumors she had an affair with him. Amir forced and speeded up the works to be finished asap, so it was not quality built. It started with decaying shortly and was abandoned two cent later. The remains were totally demolished in 1897 earthquake and the Soviets rebuilt it only in 1974.
Despite that, it's a beautiful and grandiose edifice worth visiting, however it doesn't serve as a Mosque any more, but a history landmark.
The original was built by Amir Temur's orders in 1399-1404 during his military campaign in India, and dedicated to his favorite wife (her Mausoleum is across the street). As he was out conquering building was left to his architect and there're rumors she had an affair with him. Amir forced and speeded up the works to be finished asap, so it was not quality built. It started with decaying shortly and was abandoned two cent later. The remains were totally demolished in 1897 earthquake and the Soviets rebuilt it only in 1974.
Despite that, it's a beautiful and grandiose edifice worth visiting, however it doesn't serve as a Mosque any more, but a history landmark.
Written November 17, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
paolovbossi
The Hague, The Netherlands848 contributions
Oct 2023 โข Family
I loved this mosque. Our guide was telling us that the refurbishing works have been done not correctly and it has lost part of the original splendor. I cannot imagine something more splendid of what i have seen. It easy reachable with a 10min walking from Registan. The dome is spectacular, as well as the entrance. Personally one of the gems of Samarkand.
Written October 29, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
You always should wear at least something to cover your knees!
Written July 27, 2019
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