Sherdor Mаdrаsasi, Uzbekistan

One more crucial for Muslim people holy place - the Sherdor Madrasasi, which is located in Samarqand. This unique historical building is situated on the Registon square. It was built in the 17th century. The Madrasasi is usually understood as the unified architectural ensemble along with the Ulug`bek Madrasasi and other closely spaced buildings. In 2001 the Sherdor Madrasasi along with a number of other historical buildings of Samarqand was included in a list of UNESCO world heritage.

Madrasasi was built under the authority of Hakim Yalangto'sh Bahodir at the place of an old demolished dervish lodge. Fragments that were saved, were used during the building of the new mosque. The building is decorated with strikingly beautiful mosaic patterns. The Madrasasi is attractive not only for pilgrims but also for admirers of antique architecture. On the walls we can see a great number of unusual symbolic patterns. Each is a reminder of important historical occasions and cultural traditions. There can study no more than 40 students at once, notwithstanding that fact that Madrasasi has a quite large area.

Over the years the construction has been destroyed several times. The main reason for the destruction was the numerous earthquakes. The last disaster was at the end of the 19th century but after this earthquake, the studies had been held there for several years. In 1924 the classes were decided to stop; the historical building was nationalized and a huge rebuilding has begun. Nowadays the reconstructed Sherdor Madrasasi looks as eye-catching as it looked the day after the ending of its building. Next - Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization