Afrasiab is the hilltop site of the old city of Samarkand, which the Greeks called Maracanda and which Alexander the Great captured in 329 BC. Occupied from the 6th century BC, it became the capital of Sogdiana, a trading civilisation whose merchants carried goods between China, Persia and the steppe. Excavations since the 19th century have found city walls, palaces, workshops and canal systems.
In 1965, builders cutting a road found the 7th-century wall paintings of what is believed to be the palace of King Varkhuman, now displayed in the Afrosiyab Museum. The paintings show foreign embassies, a royal procession and hunting scenes, a rare surviving record of Sogdian court life. After an Arab conquest in the early 8th century the city continued to prosper until Genghis Khan destroyed it in 1220; after that, Samarkand was rebuilt to the south around the present Registan.
Visitors can see the museum, the earth mounds and the surrounding fortifications. The site is a useful counterpoint to the later Timurid monuments.
| Admission | About 40,000-75,000 UZS (~$3.30-6.25) for foreign visitors |
|---|---|
| Hours | Daily, about 09:00-17:00 |
| Address | Afrosiyab Museum, Afrosiyob Street, Samarkand, Uzbekistan |
Why it matters
Afrasiab is the site of ancient Samarkand (Maracanda), conquered by Alexander the Great in 329 BC, a Sogdian trading capital, and destroyed by Genghis Khan in 1220.
Location
Afrosiyab Museum, Afrosiyob Street, Samarkand, Uzbekistan
39.6694, 66.9933 View on map
Highlights
- 7th-century Sogdian wall paintings of Varkhuman's palace
- City taken by Alexander the Great in 329 BC
- Destroyed by Genghis Khan in 1220
- Earth mounds of the ancient city
Tips for visiting
- Combine with Shah-i-Zinda and the Ulugh Beg Observatory.
- The wall paintings are the main reason to enter the museum.
- Wear walking shoes for the mounds.
When to visit
Weekday morning.
Accessibility
Museum has ground-level access; mounds are uneven.
Frequently asked questions
What is Afrasiab?
The hilltop site of the ancient pre-Mongol city of Samarkand.
What are the wall paintings?
Seventh-century Sogdian murals found in 1965 in the palace of King Varkhuman.
When was it destroyed?
By Genghis Khan in 1220.