Ulugbek Madrasah

Ulugh Beg Madrasa is a remarkable architectural monument in Bukhara, built in 1417 by the renowned scholar and ruler Mirzo Ulugh Beg. It is the oldest surviving madrasa in Central Asia and the earliest of the three madrasas constructed by Ulugh Beg. In 1993, it was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List as part of the Historic Centre of Bukhara.

History

During the first half of the 15th century, madrasas served not only as religious schools but also as centers of higher learning. Under Ulugh Beg, students studied theology alongside astronomy, mathematics, and philosophy.

Construction of the Bukhara madrasa was completed in the autumn of 1417. Ulugh Beg personally visited the institution in 1419 and distributed gifts to students and scholars. For centuries, the madrasa remained one of the leading centers of science and culture in Bukhara.

In 1586, under the patronage of Abdullah Khan II and with the support of Khoja Saad Juybari, the building underwent major restoration. Additional restoration works were carried out in the 16th–17th centuries, during the 1950s–1970s, and again between 1990 and 1996. Since 1994, the building has housed the Museum of the History of Bukhara Monument Restoration.

Architecture

The main façade features a monumental portal, two-story student cells, and decorative corner towers. The portal is richly adorned with glazed bricks, colorful mosaics, and ceramic tilework.

Beyond the entrance lies a courtyard measuring 26 × 25 meters, surrounded by two-story cells and iwans. The madrasa itself measures 53 × 41.6 meters. The mosque and lecture hall are covered by domes and are located on either side of the central vestibule. A library was situated on the second floor.

The monument is famous for its star-shaped ornaments, gilded columns, and elegant decorative details. An inscription carved on the doors in Arabic reads: “Seeking knowledge is the duty of every Muslim man and woman.”