SAMARKAND, UZBEKISTAN - AUGUST 28, 2016:  Detail of gold mosaic in Tilya Kori Madrasah in Samarkand, Uzbekistan; Shutterstock ID 567517564; purchase_order: 65050; job: ; client: ; other:
567517564

Shutterstock / NICOLA MESSANA PHOTOS

Tilla-Kari Medressa

Samarkand


On the northern side of the Registan is the Tilla-Kari (Gold-Covered) Medressa, completed in 1660, with a pleasant, gardenlike courtyard. The highlight here is the mosque, which is on the left-hand side of the courtyard and is stunningly decorated with blue and gold to symbolise Samarkand’s wealth. The mosque’s delicate ceiling, oozing gold leaf, is flat but its tapered design makes it look domed from the inside. The result is breathtaking.

Inside the mosque is a fascinating picture gallery featuring blown-up B&W photos of old Samarkand. Several shops sell prints of these old photos.


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