Sunday, 9 July 2017

The Registan

The Registan is the most visited site in Uzbekistan. It's main square is composed of three different Medressa’s each built at different times, The  oldest structure the Ulugbek Medressa was build in 1420 by the grandson of Timur who was the astronomer. It was decorated with mosaics that were geometric in pattern. 



The second oldest was built 200 years later, called the Sher-Dor  (Lion) Medressa and was quite “shocking” for it’s time. The religious leaders were very upset because the mosaics on the portal included animals and faces,  which was forbidden under Islamic law. The  ruler spoke with the master artisan to understand why he decorated the portal in the manner he did. The master explained that the lions symbolized strength and power, the white faces inside the bellies of the lions together with the rising sun symbolized rising to heaven, the gazelles symbolized intelligence and the colour white stood for peace. The master explained that these were all things that a great ruler aspired to achieve. 



The ruler accepted this explanation and asked the master how he wished to be compensated for his work. He said that he had fallen in love with the rulers daughter and wished her hand in marriage. The ruler, hesitated as he needed to appease the religious leaders who were upset with the mosaic representing figures. The ruler offered that if the master completed a third Medressa in a more traditional style, then he could have his daughters hand in marriage.  In 1660, a mere 24 years later the Tilla-Kari (Gold Covered) Medressa was completed.  Of course there is no mention of the wishes of the daughter in all of this arranging or long wait for her to be married.




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