Registan Facts for Kids

The Registan and its three amazing schools. From left to right: Ulugh Beg Madrasah, Tilya-Kori Madrasah and Sher-Dor Madrasah.

The Registan is a famous old square in the city of Samarkand, which is now in Uzbekistan. Long ago, it was the main center of the powerful Timurid Empire. The name Registan comes from the Persian language and means "sandy place."

This large public square was a busy place. People gathered here for important announcements from the ruler. These announcements were often made with loud blasts from huge copper pipes called dzharchis. The Registan is surrounded by three beautiful Islamic schools, known as madrasahs. It was seen as a very important place for learning and art during the time of the Timurids.

The Three Madrasahs
Other Important Buildings
- Mausoleum of Shaybanids
- Chorsu Trading Dome
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The Three Madrasahs

The Registan is famous for its three grand madrasahs. These are the Ulugh Beg Madrasah, built between 1417 and 1420, the Sher-Dor Madrasah, built from 1619 to 1636, and the Tilya-Kori Madrasah, built from 1646 to 1660. A madrasah is an Arabic word that simply means "school."

A small model (maquette) of the Registan Square. This model is located at the UN headquarters in New York City.

Ulugh Beg Madrasah (1417–1420)

The Ulugh Beg Madrasah was built by Ulugh Beg, who was a ruler and a brilliant scientist. This school has a very grand entrance called an iwan, with a tall archway. On each side of the entrance, there are tall towers called minarets.

The colorful designs above the entrance are made from small pieces of tile, forming beautiful geometric patterns. Inside, there is a square courtyard with a mosque and classrooms. Small rooms around the courtyard were where students lived. The Ulugh Beg Madrasah was one of the best universities in the Muslim world during the 1400s. Even Ulugh Beg himself taught there!

Sher-Dor Madrasah (1619–1636)

In the 1600s, the ruler of Samarkand, Yalangtush Bakhodur, decided to build two more madrasahs: the Sher-Dor and the Tilya-Kori. The Sher-Dor Madrasah is famous for its unique tiger mosaics. These mosaics show tigers with a rising sun on their backs. It's special because it shows living creatures, which was not common in Islamic art at the time.

Tilya-Kori Madrasah (1646–1660)

The Tilya-Kori Madrasah was built after the Sher-Dor. Its name means "Gilded," which refers to its beautiful golden decorations. This building was not just a school for students. It also served as a large masjid, or mosque, for the city.

It has a grand front and a big courtyard surrounded by student rooms. The mosque part of the building is in the western section of the courtyard. The main hall of the mosque is covered in amazing gold leaf, making it shine brightly.

Other Important Buildings

Mausoleum of Shaybanids

Near the Tilya-Kori Madrasah, you can find the mausoleum of the Shaybanids. This is a burial place for the Shaybanid rulers from the 1500s. The Shaybanids were a group of nomadic Uzbeks who became powerful rulers in Central Asia. They took control of Samarkand and other cities from the Timurid rulers. Over time, these nomadic people settled down and became a big part of the Uzbek nation we know today.

Chorsu Trading Dome

Right behind the Sher-Dor Madrasah is the Chorsu trading dome, built in 1785. This dome was once a busy marketplace where merchants sold their goods. It shows how important trade was in Samarkand's history.