Samarkand

Registan Square is an architectural gem located in the heart of Samarkand's old city. It is framed by three madrasas of distinctive Islamic architecture, a legacy of the Turco-Mongol king Timur. In ancient times, it was a public square where people gathered to hear royal proclamations, announced by blasts from enormous pipes called "dzharchis," and at the same time, it was the site of public executions. It was also the city's main square, filled with markets and surrounded by caravanserais that welcomed merchants on the trade route connecting Europe and Asia.

The Ulughbek Madrasa is the oldest in the architectural ensemble in Registan Square. Construction began in 1417, during Ulugbek's reign, a period that marked an important epoch in Samarkand's history, illuminated by Ulugbek's unique vision and leadership. In a remarkable historical turn, Ulugbek rose to power in 1409 after his father abdicated the Samarkand throne. At just 15 years old, Ulugbek, a direct descendant of the famous emir Timur, assumed leadership. At first, his rule was guided by tutors, but in 1411, he embarked on a journey of independent rule.The location of the Ulugbek Madrasa was strategically chosen on the western side of the bustling Registan, Samarkand's main bazaar square. During that time, the square was a hive of activity, home to covered trading houses, shops, and caravanserais, reflecting the region's economic vitality. The madrasa stood as a majestic and imposing structure. Its entrance portal, adorned with an inscription from 1417, boasts of its preeminence and grandeur in the world. The walls of the madrasa are a tapestry of color, adorned with glazed bricks in shades of blue, sky blue, and terracotta. Its facade, facing the lively Registan Square, is distinguished by a peshtak (pointed arch) adorned with intricate colored mosaics depicting star motifs, beneath which are three welcoming entrances. Its construction was completed in 1420, and almost immediately it was granted the status of the highest-ranking madrasa. Renowned for its academic rigor, it offered courses not only in theological sciences but also in mathematics, philosophy, and astronomy. This institution maintained its prestige well beyond 1533, even after Samarkand ceased to be the country's capital.