Ulugh Beg Observatory

Ulugh Beg Observatory is a 15th-century astronomical research facility in Samarkand with large underground structures for measuring celestial bodies. The construction included a cylindrical building with a meridian arc that recorded vertical angles for stellar observations.

The facility was built in the 1420s under a scientifically minded Timurid ruler as a center for celestial research. It was destroyed around 1449 by religious opposition, but underground sections survived and still reveal the original layout to visitors.

The name honors its founder, a mathematically gifted ruler who actively pursued astronomy himself. Visitors today can sense how this place embodied the learning and curiosity of an entire era.

The site is easily accessible on foot and the underground section is open to visitors, though navigating the stairs downward requires careful footing. A guide or orientation materials help you understand how each area originally functioned for research.

Scholars here created a detailed star catalog based purely on naked-eye observation before telescopes were even invented. This achievement shows how much could be accomplished using simple mathematical methods.

Location: Samarkand

Inception: 1420

Founders: Ulugh Beg

Part of: Samarkand – Crossroad of Cultures

GPS coordinates: 39.67472,67.00556

Latest update: December 20, 2025 16:00