Registan Square, Samarkand, Uzbekistan

Registan became the central square of Samarkand in the 14th century. The word 'Registan' can be translated as 'a sandy place'. Earlier there flowed a canal forming sand and silt deposits. Six streets crossed at Registan. In the time of Temur the square was used as a commercial and craft center and Ulugbek made it a spiritual center. Ulugbek constructed a majestic madrasah and Sufi khanaka with a huge dome. By the 17th century old buildings of Registan had been in collapse and the governor of Samarkand Yalangtush-biy built Sher-Dor madrasah instead of Ulugbek's khanaka and later Tillya-Kari Madrasah.

Registan Square, Samarkand