Sherdоr Madrasah, Islamic museum and educational building in Registan Square, Samarqand, Uzbekistan
The Sherdor Madrasah is a teaching and museum building on Registan Square with a symmetrical facade featuring two tall minarets, ribbed domes, and intricate mosaics on its outer walls. The structure now serves as an exhibition space showing items related to Islamic culture and the region's educational heritage.
The building was created in the early 17th century as the importance of Islamic education grew in the city. It was designed as a companion piece to an older madrasah building and reflects the architectural trends of its time.
The entrance portal displays animal motifs with sun symbols, showing a departure from stricter Islamic decoration rules. These tiger images are uncommon in Islamic architecture and give the building its own character.
The site is open during standard hours and visitors can explore inner courtyards and enjoy views from elevated positions across the square. The area is easily walkable and there is plenty of room to move around in the surrounding neighborhood.
The building includes symbols and motifs that are usually avoided in Islamic religious art, suggesting a local or regional difference in design rules. These features make it an interesting example of how artistic conventions varied across different parts of the Islamic world.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
