# Amir Timur Monument, Samarkand

> The Amir Timur statue in Samarkand shows the conqueror **seated on a throne**, both hands resting on his sword. It stands in the open where University Boulevard begins, so it is **free and accessible 24/7** — allow **10–15 minutes**. Timur's tomb, [Gur-e-Amir](https://yesgo.io/uzbekistan/samarkand/gur-e-amir), is about a 5-minute walk away; the [Registan](https://yesgo.io/uzbekistan/samarkand/registan) about 15.

Web page: https://yesgo.io/uzbekistan/samarkand/samarkand-amir-timur-monument

- City: [Samarkand](https://yesgo.io/uzbekistan/samarkand), Uzbekistan
- YesGo score: 44/100 (Yes, if nearby)
- Time on site: 15 min
- Opening hours: Open 24/7 — it is an outdoor monument
- With kids: Fine with kids
- Entry: Free, outdoor monument
- When to visit: Any time, no closing days
- Where: Head of University Boulevard (Universitet xiyoboni), at Registan and Bo‘stonsaroy streets
- Status: Listed cultural heritage object of Uzbekistan, UZ-SA-0437
- Time needed: 10–15 minutes
- From Gur-e-Amir: ≈ 400 m as the crow flies, 5–7 min on foot
- From the Registan: ≈ 1 km as the crow flies, 12–15 min on foot
- City bus: UZS 2,000 by card, UZS 4,000 cash; cash is being phased out
- With kids: Easy: short stop, park and traffic-free boulevard next to it
- Coordinates: 39.65048, 66.96496
- Facts checked: 30.10.2026

## Key facts

- **Seated on a throne** — hands on his sword — he rides a horse in Tashkent and stands in Shahrisabz (source: Russian Wikipedia: Tamerlan; Visit Silk Road)
- **Free** — outdoor monument you can walk up to at any hour (source: Wikidata Q122885306; Wikimedia Commons)
- **≈ 400 m** — in a straight line to Gur-e-Amir, where Timur is buried (source: YesGo calculation from Wikidata coordinates)
- **UZ-SA-0437** — its number on Uzbekistan's cultural heritage list (source: Wikidata Q122885306; Wikimedia Commons)
- **1370** — Timur made Samarkand the capital of his empire (source: English and Russian Wikipedia)
- **1405** — Timur died on campaign and was buried in Samarkand, at Gur-e-Amir (source: English and Russian Wikipedia)
- **1336 or 1320s** — birth year: Timurid chronicles say 1336, contemporary sources point to the late 1320s (source: English and Russian Wikipedia)
- **“Iron”** — is what Timur means; Tamerlane comes from Persian Timur-i Lang, “Timur the Lame” (source: Russian Wikipedia: Tamerlan; English Wikipedia: Timur)
- **Sahib Qiran** — Timur's best-known title, “Lord of the auspicious conjunction” (source: English and Russian Wikipedia)
- **9 April** — officials lay wreaths here on Timur's birthday after a memorial at Gur-e-Amir (source: Samarkand State Medical University; Samarkand State University)
- **1871** — University Boulevard was laid out, dividing the old city from the Russian new town (source: Russian Wikipedia: University Boulevard (Samarkand))

> **Worth a stop, not a detour** This is a 10–15-minute photo stop, not a half-day sight. The natural way to see it is together with Gur-e-Amir: visit Timur's tomb first, then walk five minutes to his statue. Don't take a taxi across town just for the monument.

## Is the Amir Timur statue worth visiting?

Yes, if you are already near Gur-e-Amir or staying in the new town — it costs nothing and takes a few minutes. The statue sets the scene for everything else in Samarkand: this is the man who made the city his capital and filled it with turquoise domes.

If your time is tight, skip it without regret. The Registan, Gur-e-Amir and [Shah-i-Zinda](https://yesgo.io/uzbekistan/samarkand/shah-i-zinda) are the essentials; the statue is a bonus on the walk between the old city and the boulevard.

## What the monument looks like

Timur sits **on a throne**, both hands resting on the hilt of a sword planted in front of him. This is the ruler and lawgiver rather than the horseman on campaign. The figure is larger than life and raised on a tall plinth, so you look up at it — very much the intended effect.

Plane trees and flower beds surround it, and the broad, shady University Boulevard runs off behind. In Uzbekistan Timur is called **Sohibqiron Amir Temur**, and the heritage register lists the monument as “Sohibqiron Amir Temur haykali” — the statue of Amir Temur, Lord of the Conjunction.

Searching for photos? Many results show the equestrian statue in Tashkent. The Samarkand one is easy to tell apart: here Timur is **sitting**, not riding.

## Who was Amir Timur?

Timur — Tamerlane in Europe, from the Persian nickname Timur-i Lang, “Timur the Lame” — was a Turco-Mongol conqueror born near Kesh, today's Shahrisabz. Old wounds left him lame in one leg and missing fingers on his right hand.

From 1370 he ruled from **Samarkand**, building an empire that at its height stretched from Anatolia to northern India. He brought craftsmen here from conquered cities, which is why the skyline looks the way it does. He died in 1405 while marching on China and lies in Gur-e-Amir. After independence, Uzbekistan made him its national hero — which explains the statues in all three of his key cities.

## What to see around the statue

- The statue from the side, where you can see how Timur grips the sword.
- University Boulevard behind it — laid out in 1871 as the line between the old city and the Russian new town.
- Late-19th-century buildings along the boulevard: the governor's house, the former Russo-Chinese Bank and the girls' gymnasium.
- Navoi Central Park on the same boulevard — shade, benches and room for kids to run.
- The ribbed turquoise dome of Gur-e-Amir, visible through the trees.

## How to get to the Amir Timur statue

1. From the Registan, walk west along Registan Street — about 1 km in a straight line, 12–15 minutes at an easy pace.
2. The street ends at the junction with University Boulevard (Universitet xiyoboni) and Bo‘stonsaroy Street. The statue stands in the small square right on the junction.
3. From Gur-e-Amir, walk out to the street and head north-west — about 400 m, 5–7 minutes.
4. City buses and marshrutkas run along Registan Street with a stop by University Boulevard. Fares are UZS 2,000 by card and UZS 4,000 cash, and cash is being phased out; foreign Visa and Mastercard are not reliably accepted on board, so check the route in your map app and ask your hotel about a transport card.
5. From the railway station or Samarkand airport, take a taxi through Yandex Go — 15–20 minutes. Paying the driver in cash som always works; linking a foreign card to the app does not always succeed.

## Best time to visit and how long to stay

There is no fence and no ticket office, so you can come **at any hour**. Ten to fifteen minutes is enough to walk around the statue, take photos and stroll a little way down the boulevard; give it half an hour if you want to sit in Navoi Park.

In summer the open square gets hot at midday, while the plane trees keep the boulevard bearable. Mornings and late afternoons are quieter for photos. On **9 April**, Timur's birthday, city officials hold a wreath-laying ceremony here: you will see the ceremony, but not a quiet moment by the statue.

## Before you go

- [ ] Gur-e-Amir is on the same walk, before or after
- [ ] Comfortable shoes: about 15 minutes on foot from the Registan
- [ ] Water and a hat in summer
- [ ] Some cash in som for taxis and buses
- [ ] Yandex Go installed for the ride back
- [ ] Half an hour spare if you want Navoi Park

## Statue, Gur-e-Amir or Registan: what matters most

|  | Amir Timur statue | Gur-e-Amir | Registan |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| What it is | Timur seated on a throne | Timur's mausoleum | Square of three madrasas |
| Entry | Free | Paid | Paid |
| Open | 24/7 | Day and evening | Day and evening |
| Time needed | 10–15 min | 40–60 min | 1.5–2 h |
| Must-see | No | Yes | Yes |

Short on time? Do the Registan and Gur-e-Amir first. The statue is a bonus on the way to the new town.

## Historic Samarkand: compare and choose

Every historic sight in Samarkand rated by YesGo.

- [Gur-e-Amir](https://yesgo.io/uzbekistan/samarkand/gur-e-amir) — YesGo score 59/100 (Yes, go) · 45 min · ≈ UZS 75,000, unofficial
- [Registan](https://yesgo.io/uzbekistan/samarkand/registan) — YesGo score 57/100 (Yes, go) · 1 h 30 min · 100,000 UZS for foreign visitors
- [Bibi-Khanym Mosque](https://yesgo.io/uzbekistan/samarkand/bibi-khanym-mosque) — YesGo score 49/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 40 min · ≈ UZS 75,000, unofficial
- [Shah-i-Zinda](https://yesgo.io/uzbekistan/samarkand/shah-i-zinda) — YesGo score 46/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 15 min · ≈ 50,000 som for foreigners
- [Amir Timur Monument](https://yesgo.io/uzbekistan/samarkand/samarkand-amir-timur-monument) — YesGo score 44/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 15 min · Free
- [Tomb of Saint Daniel](https://yesgo.io/uzbekistan/samarkand/tomb-of-saint-daniel) — YesGo score 41/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 40 min · ≈ UZS 30,000–40,000, unofficial
- [Ulugh Beg Observatory](https://yesgo.io/uzbekistan/samarkand/ulugh-beg-observatory) — YesGo score 40/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 45 min · UZS 40,000–75,000 (unofficial)
- [Hazrat Khizr Mosque](https://yesgo.io/uzbekistan/samarkand/hazrat-khizr-mosque) — YesGo score 38/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 30 min · Free, donations welcome
- [Afrasiab Museum](https://yesgo.io/uzbekistan/samarkand/afrasiab-museum) — YesGo score 35/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 15 min · ≈ UZS 40,000–80,000 (unofficial)

## Timur's Samarkand in half a day

The statue, his tomb, the great square, the mosque he built after his Indian campaign and the bazaar beside it. YesGo works out the timing and walks.

1. [Amir Timur Monument](https://yesgo.io/uzbekistan/samarkand/samarkand-amir-timur-monument) — YesGo score 44/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 15 min · Free
2. [Gur-e-Amir](https://yesgo.io/uzbekistan/samarkand/gur-e-amir) — YesGo score 59/100 (Yes, go) · 45 min · ≈ UZS 75,000, unofficial
3. [Registan](https://yesgo.io/uzbekistan/samarkand/registan) — YesGo score 57/100 (Yes, go) · 1 h 30 min · 100,000 UZS for foreign visitors
4. [Bibi-Khanym Mosque](https://yesgo.io/uzbekistan/samarkand/bibi-khanym-mosque) — YesGo score 49/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 40 min · ≈ UZS 75,000, unofficial
5. [Siab Bazaar](https://yesgo.io/uzbekistan/samarkand/siab-bazaar) — YesGo score 43/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · Free entry

## Don't confuse it with

Uzbekistan has three well-known Timur monuments. In Tashkent, on Amir Timur Square, he is **on horseback** — the work of sculptor Ilkhom Jabbarov. In Shahrisabz, his birthplace, he **stands** by the ruins of the Ak-Saray palace. In Samarkand he **sits on a throne**. Jabbarov has said that the very first competition for a Timur monument, in 1991, was held for Samarkand.

## Tips

- Pair it with Gur-e-Amir — the tomb and the statue are five minutes apart.
- Come early for photos without tour groups in the frame.
- To fit the whole figure in, step back a few metres along the boulevard: the plinth is tall.
- Don't climb the plinth or sit on the flower-bed railings — for Uzbeks this is a monument to their national hero.
- Afterwards, walk down University Boulevard — the shadiest street in the new town.
- Carry cash in som: foreign cards are hit-and-miss on buses and in taxis.

## Questions

### Where is the Amir Timur statue in Samarkand?

At the head of University Boulevard, where it meets Registan and Bo‘stonsaroy streets — about 400 m from Gur-e-Amir and 1 km from the Registan.

### Is there an entrance fee?

No. It is an outdoor monument, free to visit at any time.

### How long do you need there?

10–15 minutes; around half an hour if you add a stroll down the boulevard and Navoi Park.

### How do I walk from the Registan to the statue?

Head west along Registan Street to University Boulevard — 12–15 minutes on foot. Gur-e-Amir is an easy stop on the way.

### Is the Amir Timur statue worth visiting?

Yes as a quick stop near Gur-e-Amir; no as a separate trip. The Registan, Gur-e-Amir and Shah-i-Zinda come first.

### What is the difference between the Samarkand and Tashkent statues?

In Tashkent Timur rides a horse; in Samarkand he sits on a throne with his sword. In Shahrisabz he stands.

### Are Timur and Tamerlane the same person?

Yes. Timur is his name; Tamerlane is the European form of the Persian nickname “Timur the Lame”; Uzbeks call him Amir Temur.

### Where is Tamerlane buried?

In the Gur-e-Amir mausoleum in Samarkand, a few minutes' walk from the statue.

### Can I pay for Samarkand buses with a foreign card?

Not reliably. Fares are UZS 2,000 by local or transport card and UZS 4,000 cash; for visitors a Yandex Go taxi paid in cash is simpler.

## How we checked

The monument is free and outdoors, so there are no prices or hours to verify. The pose is checked against Russian Wikipedia and Visit Silk Road; the address and heritage status against Wikidata and Wikimedia Commons. Distances to Gur-e-Amir and the Registan are our own straight-line calculation from coordinates. Reliable sources don't name the year or the sculptor of the Samarkand statue: some sites mention 1996 and Ilkhom Jabbarov, but we could not confirm this in two independent sources, so we don't state it. Bus fares come from Kun.uz (May 2026) and are marked unofficial — the city has said it will scrap cash entirely. Timur's birth date differs between sources (1336 in Timurid chronicles, late 1320s in contemporary ones), so we show both.

## Sources

- Wikidata: Q122885306 Amir Timur statue — coordinates, street, heritage number UZ-SA-0437
- Wikimedia Commons: category Statue of Amir Temur (Samarkand)
- Russian Wikipedia: Tamerlan (Memory section); University Boulevard (Samarkand)
- English Wikipedia: Timur
- Afisha.uz, 2017: interview with sculptor Ilkhom Jabbarov
- Samarkand State Medical University and Samarkand State University — news on the 9 April ceremonies
- Kun.uz, May 2026: Samarkand public transport fares
- Visit Silk Road: Samarkand Statue of Amir Timur

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