A 1979 postcard featuring architectural fragments and the interior courtyard of the Sher-Dor Madrasah in Samarkand.
What is shown on the postcard
The postcard displays two vertically arranged frames. The upper part captures a fragment of the Sher-Dor Madrasah exterior: a tiled minaret, a ribbed blue dome with traditional mosaic work, and a section of a wall with geometric ornamentation, complemented by the silhouette of a tree trunk on the right. The lower part shows a view of the two-tier inner courtyard with arched niches (hujras), shot through a dark arched entryway. Figures of people are visible in the courtyard below.
Historical note
The Sher-Dor Madrasah was built between 1619 and 1636 by order of the ruler of Samarkand, Yalangtush Bihod, on Registan Square. The building was constructed opposite the earlier Ulugh Beg Madrasah following the paired architectural ‘kosh’ principle. The monument’s name translates as ‘Having lions’ due to the depiction of tigers with the sun on their backs displayed on the portal.
Present day
Today, the Registan architectural ensemble, including the Sher-Dor Madrasah, is a UNESCO World Heritage site and serves as the main tourist symbol of Samarkand. The monument has undergone extensive restoration work to preserve its complex tile cladding.
Location (map)
Address: Registan Square, Samarkand, Uzbekistan
Coordinates: 39.654700, 66.975800
(Google Maps)
Coordinate source: Coordinates of the Registan ensemble and Sher-Dor Madrasah in Samarkand.
Questions and answers
- Where is the building on the postcard located? The Sher-Dor Madrasah is located on Registan Square in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.
- What year is indicated for this postcard? The postcard was published in 1979.
- What is depicted in the lower part of the postcard? The lower part shows the inner courtyard of the madrasah with arched hujras viewed through a dark arched entryway.
See also
The «Old Postcards» archive includes other views of Samarkand from 1979.
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