Registan at night

The Registan Complex, the dazzling heart of Samarkand, is a breathtaking ensemble of three grand madrasahs—Ulugh Beg, Sher-Dor, and Tilya-Kori—that epitomize the splendor of Islamic architecture. Built between the 15th and 17th centuries, this UNESCO-listed square was a hub of learning, trade, and culture along the Silk Road. The Ulugh Beg Madrasah (1417–1420), the oldest, showcases celestial mosaics and once hosted renowned astronomers. The Sher-Dor Madrasah (1619–1636) stuns with its tiger-mosaic portals defying Islamic artistic conventions, while the Tilya-Kori Madrasah (1646–1660) glows with gold-leafed interiors and a serene courtyard.