Property: Samarkand - Crossroads of Cultures
Id. N°: 603 Rev
State Party: Uzbekistan
Criteria: C (i) (ii) (iv)
The Committee inscribed the Samarkand - Crossroads of Cultures on the World Heritage List under criteria (i), (ii), and (iv).
Criterion (i): The architecture and townscape of Samarkand, situated at the crossroads of ancient cultures, are masterpieces of Islamic cultural creativity.
Criterion (ii): Ensembles in Samarkand such as the Bibi Khanum Mosque and Registan Square played a seminal role in the development of Islamic architecture over the entire region, from the Mediterranean to the Indian subcontinent.
Criterion (iv): The historic town of Samarkand illustrates in its art, architecture, and urban structure the most important stages of Central Asian cultural and political history from the 13th century to the present day.
The Committee noted with satisfaction the extension of the buffer zone to include the whole Timurid town, the archaeological area, Ulugh-Bek's Observatory, and the 19th century development. It encouraged the city to continue with the preparation of an integrated management plan for the historic town as a whole and to report back to the Committee at its twenty-eighth session in 2004.