Bibi Khanym mosque

The Bibi-Khanym Mosque is one of the most important monuments of Samarkand, Uzbekistan, and a masterpiece of the Timurid Renaissance. This enormous congregational mosque is the largest of its kind in Central Asia, able to hold about 10,000 worshippers. The mosque was built in the 15th century and features a grandiose ruin with a massive marble Quran stand in its courtyard. Local legend tells that if a woman crawls underneath the stand, she will be blessed with many children. The mosque's architecture is a blend of Iranian and Indian styles, with a large dome and intricate decorations. The building has undergone several restorations over the years, including a major reconstruction in the 1970s. Visitors can explore the mosque's courtyard, which features two mosques and a large portal with Arabic calligraphy