Shakhrisabz

Shakhrisabz – Homeland of Amir Temur

Shakhrisabz is one of the most ancient and picturesque cities of Uzbekistan. Its historical centre is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The great commander Amir Temur was born in this city.

The city with its green trees and flowers rightfully got its name “Green City”.

Popular Landmarks

What to see in Shakhrisabz?

Arriving to Shakhrisabz, you should definitely see the ruins of the ancient Ak-Saray Palace, the Kok-Gumbaz mosque, the Dor-ut Tilovat memorial complex, and the mausoleums of Dor-us Saodat, Shamsad-Din Kulala, Gumbazi-Seyidan.

This flourishing city of the Timurid Empire is the birthplace of the great medieval conqueror Amir Temur. It has exceptional monuments from 14th to 15th centuries though its history dates back over 2000 years. Its historic center retains the layout from the original Timurid city planning. Amir Temur ordered the Ak Sarai – the white summer palace – to be built as well as his own grave.

Tamerlane’s summer palace was one of the highlights of the Timurid architecture. These days you can still see the remains of the palace’s 65 meter high monumental gates.

Interesting fact

The main highway – the large Uzbek highway, repeating the route of the great Italian traveler Marco Polo, passes through Shakhrisabz.

Climate

The climate in Shakhrisabs is almost the same as in Samarkand. It also has a pronounced seasonality. Winter is mild and not cold, but it is better to have a woolen sweater in your luggage, because it is cool at night. Summer is usually very hot. Sometimes the daytime temperature lasts until midnight.

Gifts and souvenirs

Walking in the centre of Shakhrisabz, you can see many souvenir shops located in the old madrassas or just along the road. Masters are ready to offer a huge variety of crafts, such as clay figures of good-natured grandfathers with watermelons, carved caskets and many fabrics. The magnets depicting the city, which can be found everywhere, dominate most of this. In addition to the usual clay and ceramics products, there are works made of wood, paper, leather and even marble.

Сuisine

Having visited Shakhrisabz, do not forget to taste the local cuisine! The tandoor-kebab takes the second place in the list of the most delicious dishes after pilaf. Historically, the best tandoor-kebab is cooked in the Kashkadarya region! This dish came to us from the ancient times, when most of the inhabitants of Central Asia were nomads.

Because people were constantly on the road, the cooks had to invent the new, faster and more convenient ways of cooking. Then a special method was invented for the preparation of tandoor-kebab. First, a hole is dug in the ground with a depth of not more than 1 meter and the same diameter.

Then the firewood is put there. While the wood burns to the coals, the cook cuts the lamb into large pieces and flavour them with salt and special spices. Further, the meat pieces are sticked on skewers and are lowered into the hot pit. A plate made of felt is placed on top of the pit and sprinkled with a thick layer of ground.

The main feature of this cooking method is the juniper branches, which are placed in the hearth for aroma and added as spices. You will not confuse this delicious taste with anything! Having tasted it once, you will never forget it!Shakhrisabz, do not forget to taste the local cuisine!

The tandoor-kebab takes the second place in the list of the most delicious dishes after pilaf. Historically, the best tandoor-kebab is cooked in the Kashkadarya region! This dish came to us from the ancient times, when most of the inhabitants of Central Asia were nomads. Because people were constantly on the road, the cooks had to invent the new, faster and more convenient ways of cooking.

Then a special method was invented for the preparation of tandoor-kebab. First, a hole is dug in the ground with a depth of not more than 1 meter and the same diameter. Then the firewood is put there. While the wood burns to the coals, the cook cuts the lamb into large pieces and flavour them with salt and special spices.

Further, the meat pieces are sticked on skewers and are lowered into the hot pit. A plate made of felt is placed on top of the pit and sprinkled with a thick layer of ground. The main feature of this cooking method is the juniper branches, which are placed in the hearth for aroma and added as spices. You will not confuse this delicious taste with anything! Having tasted it once, you will never forget it!