Amir Timur Museum

Über

Schnelle Fakten: More than 3,000 artifacts fill the halls of this museum, including a rare 14th-century copy of the Quran that's one-third the size of a person. The striking blue-domed building sits exactly where a similar museum once stood during Soviet times, before it was demolished to make way for a hotel.

Highlights: Tucked inside a glass case is Timur's actual jade jadeite tombstone, which was stolen in 1740 by Nadir Shah and later returned to Samarkand in pieces. Guards once reported that the stone glows an eerie green on certain moonlit nights, a story the museum staff still whispers about.

Insidertipps

• Skip the audio guide and hire a local English-speaking guide at the entrance for about $5, they share stories you won't find on the placards.
• Photography inside costs a small extra fee around 10,000 UZS, pay at the ticket counter before entering to avoid being flagged.
• Visit on a weekday morning if you want the central hall nearly to yourself, Saturdays bring large school groups.
• Don't miss the basement gallery showcasing Uzbekistan's post-independence history, most tourists rush straight upstairs.

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