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Registan Square is the 'heart' of Samarkand. The word 'registan' means 'sandy place'. Registan set up as a center of handicraft and trade long before Mongolians' invasion. The ensemble consists of three Madrassahs: Ulugbek Madrassah (1417-1420), Sher-Dor Madrassah (1619-1636), and Tilla-Kori Madrassah (1647-1660). In the period of governing of Amir Temur, great commander of his epoch, Registan served as a city square. But Temur's grandson Ulughbek, one of the outstanding scientists, astronomer, mathematician and prominent statesman, in the period of his ruling changed function of the square. It became a center of science. In 1417 by order and guidance of Ulughbek there was built Madrassah (the Muslim's high educational institution), named after him.
Construction works lasted three years. Consisting of 50 rooms, over hundred students lived there, who studied in the Madrassah. It became one of the biggest scientific educational establishment of Central Asia of 15-century. In addition of theology, mathematics, astronomy, and philosophy were also taught there. Leading scientists of that time had lectures. Ulughbek himself gave lectures on mathematics till his death.
In 17-century, by the order of the governor of Samarkand Yalangtush Bakhadur, a big constructions began. In front of the Ulughbek's there was built another Madrassah - Sher-Dor, and later third one - Tilla-Kori Madrassah. Yalangtush Bakhadur endeavored not to yield in splendor and scales of constructions.
Sher-Dor Madrassah (the meaning of Sher-Dor - building with lions) constructed 200 years later, and was a specular reflection of Ulughbek Madrassah. It was built in 17 years. And in spite of the same type of front of the building, it has many new things and distinctive features belonged to 17-century's structuring technique. It's planning repeated common composition of the Ulughbek's Madrassah, but, there was difference in details. The only of it was that it had two more winter teaching halls. Tympanum above the main portal arch of the building caused a special interest. Lions depicted in tympanum are of goldish-ochre color, and they chase after white fallow-deer. Suns above both lions are of white colors as well, and have eyes. All this composition is against the blue background with small, pretty white flowers. Just this picture of the tympanum is determined the name of the Madrassah - Sher-Dor.
After 10 years of finishing of construction of Sher-Dor Madrassah, Yalangtush Bakhadur ordered to build another - third Madrassah-mosque, later called as Tilla-Kori. It has been built for 13 years. This building became a final construction of the ensemble Registan. For reaching a wholeness of all three constructions, front elevation of the Tilla-Kori Madrassah was stretched in such a way that square looked as closed space. Saturation of the main hall of the mosque by raised painting and gilding testifies to striving for striking people by magnificence and richness. Abundance of gilt determined its name - Tilla-Kori (covered with gold).
Just this place, Registan Square - center of Samarkand will soon host an International Musical Festival "Sharq Taronalari". This year the Festival will be conducted for the sixth time, on the eve of celebrations of the Independence Day (16 years) and Samarkand's 2750th jubilee. Festival "Sharq Taronalari" becomes one of the considerable and brightest musical events in Uzbekistan, and has its prestigious status in the world of music.
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