From the very beginning the Ulugbek madrasah was the main religious institution of Samarkand, its unique university in the Middle Ages. Originally the madrasah had 50 hujras (cells), which served as a dwelling for more than one hundred students.
Located 30 km from Samarkand, the Imam al-Bukhari complex is a splendid construction which was built in accordance with modem technologies, but at the same time has preserved its eastern architecture.