Dorut Tilavat, Islamic educational complex from 14th century in Shahrisabz, Uzbekistan.
Dorut Tilavat is an Islamic educational complex from the 14th century in Shahrisabz that combines several buildings, including a mosque topped with a large blue dome, mausoleums, and learning spaces. The site covers roughly 500 square meters and shows how different structures were arranged together to serve both prayer and teaching purposes.
Construction of the complex began in 1374 during the Timurid period, an era of strong architectural development under Timur's family rule. Later, Ulugh Beg added more structures between 1435 and 1438, connecting different generations of the same family to this place.
The complex houses the tomb of Shamsuddin Kulol, a respected religious teacher who influenced Amir Timur, and displays skilled calligraphy in Suls and Kufic scripts on its walls. These writings reflect the spiritual importance this place held for people who gathered to pray and study.
The site sits about 2.25 meters above street level, which helps with orientation as you approach it. The preserved buildings have several entry points, and it is good to allow time for wandering through the different rooms and spaces.
Archaeological digs between 1994 and 1996 uncovered original walls around the Jame Mosque and revealed pieces of an older madrasa and gatehouse beneath the ground. These discoveries show the site was once larger than what visitors see standing today.
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