Bibi Khanum Mosque
Begun on 11 May, 1399, it was built with the loot of Timur's Indian conquests by 200 architects, artists, master craftsmen and masons assembled from all over the Timurid empire, aided by 500 labourers and 95 elephants from India.
Of this mosque, there are many legends, chiefly concerning the favourite wife of Timur, Bibi Khanum (a Chinese princess), from whom it takes its name, and the young Persian architect who designed it. It is said that they fell in love, and he imprinted a kiss on her cheek so passionate that it left a burn. Seeing this, Timur sent his guards to kill the architect, but the Persian fled to the top of the mosque's highest minaret, sprouted wings and flew back to his native Meshed.
