The Registan is the magnificent and historic heart of the ancient city of Samarkand, Uzbekistan. Its name translates from Persian to “Sandy Place,” a reference to the stream that once flowed through the area, leaving sand deposits. For centuries, this vast public square was the center of commercial, social, and religious life in one of the most important cities on the Silk Road. The square is framed by a breathtaking architectural ensemble of three grand and ornate madrassas (Islamic schools), which are celebrated as some of the most sublime examples of Islamic architecture in the world. As the centerpiece of the UNESCO World Heritage site of Samarkand, the Registan is an awe-inspiring testament to the artistic and intellectual achievements of the Timurid Renaissance.

Name and Address

• Name: The Registan (or Registan Square).
• Address: Registan Street, Samarkand, Uzbekistan.

How to Get There

Located in the heart of old Samarkand, the Registan is the city’s primary landmark and is very easy to access.

• From other Uzbek cities: The high-speed “Afrosiyob” train is the most convenient way to travel to Samarkand from cities like Tashkent (approx. 2 hours) or Bukhara (approx. 1.5 hours).
• Within Samarkand:
  • By Taxi: Taxis are plentiful and affordable. Any driver will know the Registan.
  • By Foot: The square is within a pleasant walking distance of many other major historical sites, such as the Gur-e-Amir Mausoleum and the Bibi-Khanym Mosque.
• Visitor Tip: The entrance ticket is valid for the entire day, allowing you to visit multiple times to see the buildings in different light. A visit in the evening is highly recommended to see the beautifully illuminated madrasahs and, if you’re lucky, catch the sound and light show.

Landscape and Architecture

The “architecture” of the Registan is a perfectly proportioned public square framed on three sides by three monumental and distinct madrasahs, creating one of the world’s most spectacular architectural ensembles.

• The Ensemble: The three madrasahs face a central, open plaza, creating a powerful and harmonious composition. The scale is immense, designed to inspire awe.
• Timurid Architecture: The buildings are masterpieces of the Timurid architectural style, characterized by massive portals (pishtaqs), soaring fluted domes, and slender minarets. The surfaces are almost entirely covered in dazzling and intricate tilework, including majolica, mosaics, and geometric brick patterns in shades of azure, turquoise, and gold.
• The Three Madrassas:
  1. Ulugh Beg Madrasah (West Side, 1417-1420): The oldest of the three, built by the Timurid ruler and astronomer Ulugh Beg. Its grand portal is decorated with stars, a nod to its founder’s passion for astronomy. It was one of the leading universities of the Islamic world in the 15th century.
  2. Sher-Dor Madrasah (East Side, 1619-1636): Built two centuries later, it was designed to mirror the Ulugh Beg Madrasah opposite it. Its name means “Lion-Bearing,” and its portal is famously decorated with mosaics of two large felines that resemble tigers, chasing deer under a human-faced sun—a bold and unusual depiction that defies the Islamic prohibition on depicting living beings.
  3. Tilya-Kori Madrasah (North Side, 1646-1660): The final piece of the ensemble, its name means “Gilded.” While its exterior is grand, its true treasure is the interior of its mosque. The main hall features an astonishingly opulent, gilded dome and walls, decorated with the kundal technique to create a sense of overwhelming richness.

What Makes It Famous

The Registan is famous for being the heart of the Timurid Empire and arguably the most awe-inspiring single sight in all of Central Asia.

• The Pinnacle of Islamic Architecture: It is renowned as one of the greatest examples of Islamic and Persian-Timurid architecture in the world. The scale, harmony, and decorative richness of the ensemble are unparalleled.
• A Center of Medieval Science: The Ulugh Beg Madrasah, in particular, was a major center for science and education in the 15th century, especially in the field of astronomy, making the square a symbol of the Timurid Renaissance.
• The Heart of the Silk Road: As the central square of Samarkand, one of the most important cities on the Silk Road, the Registan was a hub of global commerce and cultural exchange for centuries.

Differences from Other Wonders

The Registan offers a unique experience that sets it apart from other major historical sites.

• An Architectural Ensemble vs. a Single Monument: The power of the Registan comes from the fact that it is not a single building but a complete, harmonious architectural ensemble. This is different from a singular masterpiece like the Taj Mahal or the Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi. The experience is about the relationship between the three grand buildings and the magnificent public space they create.
• A Civic and Educational Center vs. a Purely Religious Site: While the madrasahs were religious schools, the Registan itself was a civic, commercial, and public square. This is a different function from a purely religious complex like the mosques of Isfahan or a funerary complex like the Shah-i-Zinda.
• Timurid Grandeur: The style is distinctly Timurid, a fusion of Persian and Central Asian art that is unique to the region. The sheer scale of the portals and the intensity of the blue tilework create an aesthetic that is different from the Ottoman architecture of the Selimiye Mosque or the Moorish art of the Alhambra.