Stationed in front of the Ulugh Beg Madrasa, the portal of the Sher Dor Madrasa was built two centuries later. In order to outdo the purity of form of the older edifice, the architect sought to create more eye-catching decoration. The portal, with its two flame-coloured ceramic lions is a real achievement, as are the turquoise fluted cupolas that seem to lurk behind it. You could almost believe that one light-filled madrasa, symbolising the sun, lights up the other, a much darker blue, symbolising the night.