Historical monuments of Samarkand

Sher-Dor Madrassah

Sher-Dor Madrassah was built on the Registan Square, Samarkand in 1619-1636. The name is translated as “Madrassah with Lions”. It is the distorted and exaggerated reflection of the Ulugbek Madrassah, which is located just opposite, on the western side of the Registan Square. The difference in age between them is 200 years. Sher-Dor has larger area and sizes, but it yields to its “elder brother” by the quality of finishing works.

On the outside and inside this Madrassah is decorated with bright ornaments of glazed brick, walls and towers are covered with majolica of various patterns of climber flowers and quotations from Koran on Arabic. But some part of finishing is irretrievably lost, though scientists, historians and restorers try to recover the initial appearance of Sher-Dor Madrassah.
By architecture the Sher-Dor Madrassah almost repeats the Ulugbek Madrassah, i.e. it is the square building with inner yard, khudjras (cells) for students and two rooms for classes. The Madrassah was considered as the modern building of that time, because the latest architectural innovations were used at the construction. Moreover such grand building has a set of constructive peculiarities, which make it one of the best architectural monuments in Samarkand.
In addition the Madrassah of Sher-Dor has some features. In the center of the arch above the entrance there is the image of swastika, which from ancient times was the symbol of abundance and fertility. Also there are images of tigers with the sun on their backs on each side of the arch.
For the whole period of existence the Madrassah of Sher-Dor has been restored many times. The largest works were conducted in the beginning of XX century by Soviet architect, out of them the most famous was V.G. Shukhov. Today this monument of Samarkand architecture is one of the main sights of the city. In 2001 the Madrassah of Sher-Dor entered the UNESCO World Heritage List.


Tilla-Kori Madrassah

The construction of the Tilla-Kori Madrassah was commenced in 1646 by the order of the Samarkand ruler Yalangtush Bakhadur and was finished only in 1660. It is the final building in the Registan architectural Ensemble. It was built on the site of caravan-saray, which had existed for over two centuries. The name of the Madrassah is derived from the rich golden decoration on the façade. “Tilla-Kori” is translated as “decorated with gold”. Square-shaped building of the Madrassah fills the whole area between the Ulugbek Madrassah and the Sher-Dor Madrassah.

The façade, faced to the square is symmetrical and consists of the high portal and two floors of arched niches, flanked with towers. Khudjras (cells), intended for students, look on the large inner yard.
The entire building is lavishly decorated with various herbal ornaments and linear patterns. The major part of decoration was lost, but due to efforts of restorers it was recovered in the second half of XX century. In 2001 this beautiful monument of the Central-Asian architecture was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
In the western part of the Madrassah there is the mosque, crowned with the big glazed dome. Its inner decoration amazes by the quality of the gold, applied by the method of “kyndal”. For a long time this mosque was the main mosque in Samarkand.
The grand music show «Sharq Taronalari» in Samarkand.

«Sharq Taronalari» (Melodies of the Orient) Festival is one of the most significant events not only in Uzbekistan but also in Central Asia and by the existing tradition it is held at the central Samarkand square – Registan.

Registan Square is the part of splendid oriental medieval ensemble in Samarkand. Even in ancient times travelers along the Great Silk Road called this city the Pearl of the Orient for its beauty and magnificence of palace architecture. Being the capital of a huge medieval empire of an outstanding conqueror Tamerlane, Samarkand gathered best minds and talents of that time: scientists, artists, architects, poets. Each of them glorified this legendary oriental city in their own way.
Centuries later Samarkand became the permanent site of the striking and breathtaking musical event «Sharq Taronalari». Once in two years in the end of the summer, over and over Samarkand invites hundreds of talented singers, dancers and musicians to the striking international festival of musical traditions of nations of the world. This year participants from over 50 countries have performed cultural heritage of their countries at «Sharq Taronalari».
The eighth festival was held on the huge open-air stage with fantastic lighting and acoustics, which was erected in the center of the historical Registan Square, surrounded by magnificent monuments of oriental medieval architecture.
Organizers did their best: best decorations, interesting exhibitions and conferences timed to the festival and just a great number of participants, foreign guests and media representatives.
For majority of distinguished foreign guests of the festival it was the first visit to Uzbekistan. Therefore an acquaintance with this ancient city with 27 centuries-old history became a pleasant surprise for them. Walking around Samarkand guests visited wonderful architectural monuments of the ancient city.
Various exhibitions of national Uzbek dress, traditional musical instruments, art-bazaar and music conference were also held during the festival. Sharq Taronalari Festival lasted for almost a week and finished with a grandiose gala-concert, which was performed by nominees and winners of the festival.
After stubborn competitive struggle the Grand Prix went to the group of «Park Jong-Wook Park and Zhonguk» (South Korea). First place was divided between «Dunhuang nude vords» (China) and «Aysva» (Lithuania). 2nd place went to «Leader» (Russia), «Sato» (Uzbekistan) and «Ovoi mehriboni» (Iran). «Talilema» (Madagascar), «Chvenburebi» (Georgia) and «Galkinish» (Turkmenistan) won a third place. Special prizes of organizers of the event were awarded to creative teams from Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Mongolia, Japan, Israel.
Towards the end of the show the bright balloons with the words «Sharq Taronalari» soared to the sky and bright farewell fireworks lit up numerous audience.
Note:The International Music Festival «Sharq Taronalari» is held biennially under the patronage of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov and with the assistance of the Ministry of Culture and Sports of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, National Television and Radio Company of Uzbekistan, Union of Uzbekistan Composers and Samarkand region municipality.
First festival «Sharq Taronalari» was held in 1997. Representatives from 31 countries took part in the event. On the 8th festival in 2011 representatives from more than 50 countries participated. International Music Festival «Sharq Taronalari» is inscribed in the UNESCO international cultural events list.
It should be noted that the initial aim of the festival is the preservation of musical traditions of nations of the world, mutual enrichment of national cultures and friendship of nations. Also this international festival has a great potential for the development of Uzbekistan tourism, popularization of Uzbekistan historical heritage and the formation of bright tourist mage of the country. By this time the festival attracts a lot of tourists, who desire to visit this event in 2013.