Bibi-Khanym Mosque

Bibi-Khanym Mosque is a 14th century mausoleum and one of the biggest mosques in the Islamic world. It is a magnificent example of Muslim medieval architecture. With its towering dome reaching 40 meters high, it offers a glimpse into the grandeur of the era of Tamerlane. Additionally, within the courtyard are two smaller mosques, one adorned with breathtaking Arabic calligraphy. The middle of the courtyard is marked by a large stone pedestal made of marble, traditionally used for holding the Quran.

The full structure of the mosque doesn’t remain entact in present times. It used to have a school nearby, which is now gone, and a tomb for Saray Mulk Khanum, which is also damaged. The remaining parts show that the mosque was built in a huge area. It had a special design with different sections. There were big entrance gates with towers, smaller gates, and domed rooms. The entrance gate was very grand, with tall towers on both sides. Inside, there was a big domed room, and smaller rooms on the sides. These rooms had special places for prayer. The mosque was decorated with beautiful tiles and carvings, both inside and outside. There are multiple stories associated with the mosque. Among which are a few legends that talk about how and why it was built. One of the legends claim that the mosque was originally built by Tamerlane's favorite wife, Bibi-Khanym, in honor of his return from a trip to India. The other story goes that it was built by Timur in memory of the mother of his wife.