Samarkand.  On Sunday 17 September the group travelled by road from Zarafshan to Samarkand, a journey of 5 hours on an uneven bitumen road.   Samarkand is one of the most ancient continuously inhabited cities in the world, dating back at least 2500 years having been conquered by both Alexander (328 BC) and Ghengiz Khan (1221 AD).   It was one of the main hubs of the ancient silk road and the capital of the vast empire of Amir Timur/Tamerlane (1336-1405 AD).   In the afternoon after arrival, PGC hired an English speaking guide and the group was taken to a selection of the main historic sites of the city.   The classic buildings of Samarkand are characterised by their intricate ceramic tiled facades.   Left:  The Guri Amir Mausoleum, burial site of Amir Timur.   Right:  The Sher-Dor, one of the three Madrasahs of the Registan Square in the centre of Samarkand, taken from the minaret of the almost mirror image Ulugbek Madrasah opposite.   The third of the Madrasah's, the Tilla-Kari, not visible to the left, completes the 'U' shaped set of matching structures which were constructed between 1417 and 1660 AD.
Photographs by Mike Porter.