so, as usual, lets start the day with one of those so called rare countries...or at least rare in my stock of cards.
This is the Bibi Honim mausoleum in Samarkand, dating back from the 14th century. Samarkand is the second largest city in Uzbekistan and said to be the pearl of the country or the Gem of the East as stated in certain ancient Arab manuscripts.
It is one of the oldest inhabited cities of the world prospering from its location on the trade route between China and the Mediterranean, also known as the Silk Road. It was founded circa 700 BC by the Persians and was conquered by Alexander the Great in 329 BC.
This makes me wanna say that Alexander is the pride and joy of Macedonia, though i know it would come to a bunch of disagreements, when claiming whose is Alexander actually...you know, politics...Greece...Macedonia...
the only problem im having regarding this card is the mausoleum/mosque issue...somewhere it is referred to as a mosque...at other places as a mausoleum..and im not sure which is right, since when looking at some pictures, i cant make an exact comparison...and on the right side, there is also a building on the pictures, but on the card there is an empty space...so if someone can clarify it all for me, id be thankful...i know the complex had undergone a reconstruction, which can be seen from the card as well....so i guess thats what causing the greatest confusion with me...and i need to have it cleared up.
the stamp comes from a set of 8 issued in 2008, regarding classical architecture in Uzbekistan, and here the State Academic Big Theatre by Alisher Navoi is represented.