The Registan was the heart of the ancient city of Samarkand of the Timurid dynasty. The name Registan means “Sandy place” or “desert” in Persian.

The Registan was a public square where people gathered to hear royal proclamations, heralded by blasts on enormous copper pipes called dzharchis – and a place of public executions. It is framed by three madrasahs (Islamic schools) .

Ceiling of Ulugh Beg Madrasah, Registan, Samarkand, Uzbekistan