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 Netherlands850 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 2023Travelled with familyWritten 29 October 2023
- Frances BYorkshire, United Kingdom2,470 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. It’s age and history is staggering Definitely worth a visitVisited October 2023Travelled soloWritten 7 November 2023
- mrc282World9,260 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 2024Travelled with familyWritten 4 September 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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4.5
669 reviews
Excellent
325
Very good
254
Average
80
Poor
9
Terrible
2
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Novilia Sjafri B
130 contributions
Dec 2019 • 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 17 January 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
Düsseldorf, Germany5,677 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 8 January 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, Germany17,299 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 19 August 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, Canada4,617 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 23 March 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
World9,260 contributions
Sept 2024 • 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 4 September 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, India8,456 contributions
Oct 2022 • 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 5 November 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, Italy4,217 contributions
Oct 2023 • 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 24 October 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.
paolovbossi
The Hague, The Netherlands850 contributions
Oct 2023 • 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 29 October 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.
Ana-Maria B
Cluj-Napoca, Romania1,353 contributions
Aug 2022
We went in the evening, barely anyone there. The light was gorgeous, it was very quiet and we just enjoyed the place. There is definitely a lot of history within its walls. Not as impressive as other sites, but definitely worth checking out.
You can use the Nazzar app to find out more about the Koran in the yard.
You can use the Nazzar app to find out more about the Koran in the yard.
Written 11 September 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.
Dirk W
Alexandra Headland, Australia10,147 contributions
Oct 2022
Another Timurid gem in the center of Samarkand. Although heavily restored - if not supplemented or rebuild - Bibi Khanum is a gigantic splendid mosque and example of Turco-Mongol architecture. The turquoise fluted dome is just so picturesque and elegant. It's a pleasant walk from here to Registan.
Written 14 November 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.
You always should wear at least something to cover your knees!
Written 27 July 2019
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