SAMARKAND: GUR-I-AMIR, TIMUR and SHAH-I-ZINDA

Timur's (heavily restored) mausoleum, the Gūr-i Amīr (or 'Tomb of the King'), is shared with his two sons and grandsons, including Ulugbek. 










 And, near to Timur's statue, is the city's UNESCO sign


Here he is



 It's a 10 minute cab ride out to the necropolis Shah-i-Zinda ('tomb of the living king'), rows of stunnng mosaic-tiled mausoleums.  

The living king in question was Qusam ibn-Abbas, apparently a cousin of Mohammed who brought Islam to the region in the 7th century.

Up steep steps


 and then along the azure avenue








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