Postcards from Uzbekistan: the Tilla-Kori Madrassah

Postcards from Uzbekistan: the Tilla-Kori Madrassah
By Seamus Kearney
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Once a place of Islamic learning, this magestic madrassah in Samarkand dates back to the 1600s

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We resume our collection of Postcards from Uzbekistan in the famous Registan Square in Samarkand.

One of the impressive attractions here is the Tilla-Kori Madrassah, where Islamic studies were held.

This 17th-century building is included on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Euronews’ Seamus Kearney reported: “The name of the madrassah, Tilla-Kori, means golden artwork, and you understand where that comes from when you go inside the main dome-covered mosque.”

Key facts about Uzbekistan:

  • It’s in Central Asia, with neighbours including Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan & Tajikistan
  • With a population of more than 30 million, the ex-Soviet republic became independent in 1991
  • The total land area is 425,400 km2, with plains covering about four fifths of the territory
  • The average winter temperature is -6 degrees celsius and in summer it rises above 32
  • Almost 80 percent of the population is Uzbek and the main religion is Muslim (88 percent)

Almost every surface on the inside of the dome is gilded, with stunning decorative features that attract thousands of visitors every year.

Tulkin Okbutaev, a Samarkand guide, told Postcards: “This madrassah was built between 1646 and the 1660s according to the order of the ruler of Samarkand.

“And this madrassah was the last to be added to this architectural complex of Registan.”

Tilla-Kori was seen as the perfect symmetrical addition to the square, helping it to become the iconic image of Samarkand.

360° views of the wonders of Samarkand

document.getElementById("ado-3054").setAttribute("src", "//www.vroptimal-3dx-assets.com/content/3054?player=true&referer=" + encodeURIComponent(window.location.href))> Tilla-Kori Madrasa in #Samarkand, #Uzbekistan (1660). “Tilla-Kori” is translated as “Decorated with gold”. #UNESCOpic.twitter.com/2kPqvgx03I

— Uzbekistan (@UZB_OFFICIAL) June 27, 2016

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