Samarkand is one of the most legendary cities on the historical Silk Road. Founded as oasis town in the 14e century BC it got a lot of civilisations and conquerers over it, from Alexander Great over the Arabs to the Mongols of Dzjengis Khan. In 1370 Timoer Lenk proclaimed Samarkand as the capital of his great empire. Master builders from all over his empire constructed imposing monuments and his heritage still remains as the core of the rich patrimony of the city.[br]In the middle of the city lies the Registran square with 3 monumental madrassas. North lie the rests of the Bibi Khanum mosque-complex and southwest the Gur Emir mausoleum, the mausoleum of the Timurid dynasty. Typical of these monuments, apart of its size is the use of kufic calligraphy as decoration, as well of the monumental iwans as the side walls of the buildings and minarets.