Ulugh-Beg madrasah in Gijduvan, Educational temple in Gijduvan District, Uzbekistan
The Ulugh-Beg madrasah in Gijduvan is a rectangular building with 20 rooms arranged around a central courtyard, featuring a recessed entrance portal and sturdy brick walls. The layout reflects how the structure housed both religious services and classroom spaces for students.
Built in 1432 by order of Ulugh-Beg, a Timurid ruler and astronomer, the madrasah was one of several educational institutions he established across the region. The building was restored during the 1990s and 2000s to stabilize its structure and preserve it for future generations.
The building served as both a place of worship and learning, with spaces designed for prayer and teaching that shaped how education was understood here. Visitors today can see how these two roles were woven into the daily rhythm of the institution.
The madrasah sits along the ancient Silk Road between Bukhara and Samarkand, making it accessible from both major cities on an easy journey. Plan time to walk through the courtyard and visit the adjacent shrine that shares the site.
The madrasah stands directly beside the grave of Shaykh Abdul Khaliq Ghijduwani, an Islamic teacher whose burial site brought spiritual importance to the location. This proximity to a revered shrine adds a layer of religious significance that visitors still sense today.
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