Bibi-Khanym Mosque is very poetic as well as a legend, related with its construction. By the legend the mosque was built by the Tamerlane’s favorite wife, Bibi-Khanym, in honor of his return from a trip to India. According to her aim the mosque was planned to be the most grandiose creation of Samarkand , is the largest of its kind in central Asia, measuring 109 x 167 meters and capable of hosting nearly 10,000 worshippers. Even in ruins, it was easily the tallest building in Samarkand until the late 20th century. Intended as the congregational (Friday) mosque of Timur’s beloved Samarkand, it never truly fulfilled its promise as it was beset from the beginning by structural flaws that became apparent almost as soon as it was constructed.
