Ulugh Beg Observatory: Stars & Science of the 15th Century

Ulugh Beg, grandson of Tamerlane, was ruler and astronomer. His observatory, built in 15th century, housed one of largest sextants ever made. With it, he measured stars with accuracy centuries ahead of Europe. Today, ruins remain, but museum reveals instruments, manuscripts, achievements. His star catalog amazed scholars worldwide. The observatory embodies spirit of Samarkand not only as empire but as intellect, curiosity, pursuit of knowledge. Standing here, you feel sky’s vastness, man’s humility, and brilliance of science as devotion. Ulugh Beg’s legacy proves Samarkand was not only city of faith and trade, but also of thought and discovery.