Silk Road Collection

EXPL2A-00146
Marco Polo welcomed at the court of Kublai Khan in China, 1200s. Hand-colored halftone of a 19th-century illustration

Peoples at Tamerlane, Timur, mausoleum in Samarkand. Sammarcanda, Uzbekistan, Central Asia

Courtyard of the Temple of Bel, Palmyra, Syria. Situated in an oasis in the Syrian desert halfway between the Mediterranean and the Euphrates

Syria, Damascus, Old Town, Bab Touma Quarter

Syria, Al-Zawiya Mountain Region, The Dead Cities, Al Bara, the most extensive of the Dead Cities

Traditional fur hats for sale. Itchan Kala, Khiva, Uzbekistan

Statue of Amir Timur (Tamerlane, 1336-1405). He was the founder of the Timurid Empire in Central Asia and became the first ruler in the Timurid dynasty. Tashkent, Uzbekistan

Reconstitution of a painting found in an interior of an old house in Catal Huyuk. This village was a very large Neolithic and Chalcolithic settlement in southern Anatolia

Turkish houses in Bebek district. Istanbul, Turkey

Ota Darvoza, the western gate to the old town of Khiva. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Uzbekistan

Map of the Mongol States c. 1280 AD and Marco Polo's travels. (print)
7420050 Map of the Mongol States c. 1280 AD and Marco Polo's travels. (print); (add.info.: Map of the Mongol States c. 1280 AD and Marco Polo's travels)

pope Benedict XII receiving letter sent by the Great Kaan,15th century (illumination)
1753554 pope Benedict XII receiving letter sent by the Great Kaan,15th century (illumination); (add.info.: pope Benedict XII receiving letter sent by the Great Kaan of Katey in 1338)

Description of the Indian coast of Malabar, on the Indian Ocean (Mare Indicum), in 1459
NWI4853329 Description of the Indian coast of Malabar, on the Indian Ocean (Mare Indicum), in 1459, taken from the cosmography of Fra Mauro (1385-1460)

Kubilai Khan giving to Nicolo and Marco Polo the safe-conduct to Peking, 15th century (illumination)
1754103 Kubilai Khan giving to Nicolo and Marco Polo the safe-conduct to Peking, 15th century (illumination); (add.info.: Kubilai Khan giving to Nicolo)

The unrolling of the Clouds:The world as known at the end of the 13th century , 1754 (illustration)
1578424 The unrolling of the Clouds:The world as known at the end of the 13th century , 1754 (illustration); (add.info.: The unrolling of the Clouds)

Caravan of trader on the Silk Road, Central Asia. Colourful engraving from the 19th century
NWI4826359 Caravan of trader on the Silk Road, Central Asia. Colourful engraving from the 19th century.; (add.info.: Caravan of trader on the Silk Road, Central Asia)

Transport of goods on the silk road in the Middle Ages. Colouring engraving of the 19th century
NWI4826109 Transport of goods on the silk road in the Middle Ages. Colouring engraving of the 19th century.; (add.info.: Transport of goods on the silk road in the Middle Ages)

Caravan of camels carrying goods. 19th century engraving
NWI4826103 Caravan of camels carrying goods. 19th century engraving.; (add.info.: Caravan of camels carrying goods. 19th century engraving.); Photo © North Wind Pictures.

Religious dance of indian women, 15th century (illulination)
1744413 Religious dance of indian women, 15th century (illulination); (add.info.: Religious dance of indian women , illustration from Book of Marvels of Marco Polo 15th century); Photo: Tallandier.

Peking, from 'The Book of Ser Marco Polo', 1903 (pen and ink on paper)
BAL115002 Peking, from 'The Book of Ser Marco Polo', 1903 (pen and ink on paper); Private Collection; (add.info.: Peking, c.1290, from 'The Book of Ser Marco Polo', ed. Yule, pub)

Photographic print of a typical Trans Caspian Railway Station
3522877 Photographic print of a typical Trans Caspian Railway Station; (add.info.: Photographic print of a typical Trans Caspian Railway Station, also called the Central Asian Railway)

Jokhang c.1290, Grand Temple of Buddha, Lhasa, 1903 (print)
BAL34674 Jokhang c.1290, Grand Temple of Buddha, Lhasa, 1903 (print); Private Collection; (add.info.: Jokhang, Grand Temple of Buddha, Lhasa, Tibet, c.1290 plan from The Book of Ser Marco Polo)

Peking, c.1290, from "The Book of Ser Marco Polo", 1903 (print)
BAL34691 Peking, c.1290, from "The Book of Ser Marco Polo", 1903 (print); Private Collection; (add.info.: ed. Yule).

pepper harvest in south of India, 15th century (illumination)
1744356 pepper harvest in south of India, 15th century (illumination); (add.info.: pepper harvest in south of India , illustration from Book of Marvels of Marco Polo 15th century); Photo: Tallandier.

the Yellow River and city of Ho-Tchou-Fou, 15th century (illumination)
1744355 the Yellow River and city of Ho-Tchou-Fou, 15th century (illumination); (add.info.: the Yellow River and city of Ho-Tchou-Fou)

Koubilai Khan hunting with falcon and leopard, 15th century (illumination)
1744064 Koubilai Khan hunting with falcon and leopard, 15th century (illumination); (add.info.: Koubilai Khan hunting with falcon and leopard)

Middle East: Marco Polo's Itineraries I, 1903 (print)
BAL34683 Middle East: Marco Polo's Itineraries I, 1903 (print); Private Collection; (add.info.: Middle East: "Marco Polo's Itineraries I")

Portrait of Li Shengtian, King of Khotan, Five Dynasties, 940-945 (wall painting)
NIC110110 Portrait of Li Shengtian, King of Khotan, Five Dynasties, 940-945 (wall painting); Mogao Caves, Dunhuang, Gansu Province, NW China; out of copyright.

Taldyk pass road from Osh to Sary Tash, a part of Pamir Highway. Taldyk pass, Kyrgyzistan, Central Asia

Yodgorlik silk factory in Margilan, Fergana region, Uzbekistan

Syria, Damascus, Old Town, Christian Quarter, Bab Sharqi, Ruins of historic Roman Arch

Syria, Damascus, Old, Town, Azem Palace

Syria, Hama surroundings, 6th Century Byzantine Sandstone Palace of Qasr ibn Wardan, Church

Syria, crusaders castle of Krak Des Chevaliers (Qala at al Hosn), a UNESCO Site

Syria, Aleppo, the Dead Cities, Ruins of the Basilica of Saint Simeon (Qala at Samaan)

Syria, Euphrates river, Ath Thaura, Lake Al-Assad and Qalaat Jaabar Castle

Tilla Kari Madrassa, Registan, Samarkand, Uzbekistan

City walls. Ark fortress, Bukhara, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Uzbekistan

Islamic architecture at dusk, Khiva, Uzbekistan

Statue of Hoja Nasruddin, a semi-mythical storyteller who appears in Sufi teaching-tales around the world. Lyabi Hauz, a wonderful and relaxing plaza, the heart of city life in Bukhara

Rugs or carpets made of silk and cotton, a traditional art of embroidery. Suzanni (Suzani) Centre, Khiva. Uzbekistan

Uzbek bread in the food market. Bukhara, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Uzbekistan

Uzbek bread at the Siyob Bazaar. Samarkand, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Uzbekistan

Traditional dolls. Samarkand, Uzbekistan

The main gate to the Khuna Ark citadel. Old town of Khiva (Itchan Kala), a Unesco World Heritage Site. Uzbekistan

Traditional brooms for sale. Dekhon bazaar, Khiva. Uzbekistan

Registan square, a Unesco World Heritage Site, Samarkand. Uzbekistan

The old caravanserai of Saruhan on the Silk Road. Cappadocia, Turkey, Asia

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Silk Road: A Journey Through Time and Culture Embark on a captivating journey along the ancient Silk Road, where history, culture, and breathtaking landscapes intertwine. From the majestic Palmyra ruins in Syria to the grand mausoleum of Tamerlane in Samarkand, this legendary trade route holds countless wonders waiting to be discovered. Begin your expedition at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Palmyra in Syria. Explore the remnants of an ancient civilization as you wander through the enchanting Theatre and immerse yourself in its rich history. Step into a bygone era at the Courtyard of the Temple of Bel, marveling at its architectural splendor that has stood against time's relentless passage. Continue your odyssey towards Uzbekistan, where Turabeg Khanum Mausoleum stands as a testament to Timur's reign. Admire its intricate design and pay homage to one of Central Asia's most influential figures. In Bukhara, let Kalon Mosque captivate you with its grandeur while Khiva enchants with its well-preserved city walls and ornate buildings. As you traverse through Syria once more, Damascus beckons with its Old Town charm within Bab Touma Quarter. Lose yourself amidst narrow alleyways filled with vibrant markets and traditional houses that whisper tales from centuries past. Venture further into Al-Zawiya Mountain Region to discover The Dead Cities; among them lies Al Bara - an extensive site showcasing abandoned settlements frozen in time. The it also reveals hidden gems beyond historical sites – such as Mount Kazbek standing tall on Georgia's border with Russia. Its snow-capped peak offers a stunning backdrop for adventurers seeking natural beauty amidst their cultural exploration. Let this 150-word caption serve as an invitation to embark on an unforgettable voyage along the fabled Silk Road – a tapestry woven together by diverse civilizations across time and space.