|
The Registan was the heart of the ancient Samarkand. The word Registan means "a sandy place." It existed long before the Mongol invasion as a city trade and artisan square. It is the point of six roads, which ran from the city gates. From this very place to the strains of copper trumpets public criers announced citizens about new orders of the ruler.
Under Tamerlane's rule the Registan became the city's square and during the time of Ulugbek it was adorned with majestic buildings. The entire group of buildings, including the Madrassahs, khanakas, mosques and caravan-sarais, was constructed during his time.
Registan is surrounded from three sides with majestic buildings: Madrassah Ulugbek (1417 - 1420), Sher Dor (1619 - 1636), Tilla Kari (1647 - 1660). The Ulugbek Madrassah is the highest religious institution, a kind of university of the Middle Ages. In ancient manuscripts it was mentioned that Ulugbek himself taught mathematics. The Ulugbek Madrassah has its majestic portal with lancet arch facing the square. The corners are flanked by the high well-proportioned minarets, which were never used by muedzins, there were said instead to hold up the sky.
Two monumental buildings were constructed in the 17th c. on Registan - Madrassah Sher-Dor and Tilla-Kori. They are distinguished by the imposing sizes and luxury of decoration, though in terms of the architectural value they nevertheless give away to their prototype, Madrassah Ulugbek. The most considerable of all Madrassahs of the 17th c. is Sher-Dor which means "Building with lions". It was built for almost 17 years under the project of emir Yalangtosh, the Governor of Samarkand. Ten years later, during the same governor, the Madrassah Tilla Kori was constructed, closing Registan from the north. The name Tillya-Kori means "trimmed with gold". Madrassah Tilla Kori, apart from its primary goal (training students) executed the role of the main mosque.
|
