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When planning a trip to Uzbekistan, be sure to take the time to get to know the capital. Tashkent is a very interesting and hospitable city, a real flourishing oasis, whose history goes back more than 2000 years.
The hoary antiquity here is closely intertwined with modernity, the colorful quarters of the Old City and bright oriental bazaars coexist with ultra-modern buildings, landscaped parks and entertainment centers immersed in greenery.
Hazrati Imam Ensemble
This is a large religious complex, erected near the grave of one of the first preachers of Islam in Tashkent, reminiscent of a magical city from oriental fairy tales. The architectural ensemble includes both ancient and modern monuments of Islamic spiritual culture, made in a single style.
The building of the Barak Khan Madrasah (1532), decorated with sky-blue domes and unique ceramic mosaics, is the hallmark of the complex, which is featured on all Tashkent postcards. The Muyi Muborak Madrasah houses the oldest handwritten Koran in the world, dating back to 640, as well as about 20 thousand ancient books and manuscripts.
The Hazrati Imam Cathedral Mosque with two minarets is the newest building in the complex, erected in 2007 on the initiative of the President of Uzbekistan. The window openings of the building are designed in such a way that the sun illuminates the interior throughout the day.
Amir Temur Square
A cozy green square in the historical center of the city, founded in the late 19th century, has changed its name several times. In 1994, a bronze equestrian monument to Tamerlane was erected here, and the square itself was named after Amir Temur, a legendary commander and conqueror of the 14th century, who is an iconic figure in the history of Uzbekistan.
There are four fountains in the square, near which it is very pleasant to relax on hot days. Nearby is one of the symbols of the city - the Tashkent chimes and the Museum of the History of the Timurids, dedicated to the era of Amir Temur and the dynasty he founded.
State Museum of the History of Uzbekistan
One of the oldest museums not only in the republic, but also in all of Central Asia was opened in 1876. A large-scale exhibition, numbering more than 250 thousand items, covers the history of the country from ancient times to the present day.
In the museum, you can see archaeological finds discovered during excavations on the territory of Uzbekistan. The most famous exhibits are a bronze Saka cauldron from the 4th-5th centuries BC, decorated with images of animals, and a sculpture of Buddha created in the 1st century AD.
Minor Mosque
A mosque crowned with an azure dome and two slender minarets was erected in 2014 on the renovated embankment of the Ankhor Canal. Today, it is the largest Muslim religious building in Tashkent, which can accommodate up to 2,400 people.
The facades of the building are decorated with snow-white marble, which is why Minor is often called the Ak-Mosque (White Mosque). The interior decoration uses paintings and openwork carvings, the walls are decorated with mosaic frescoes, and the mihrab (a niche in the wall indicating the direction of Mecca) is decorated with gilding.
Chorsu Bazaar
Real local flavor can be found at the oriental bazaar. Chorsu is one of the largest markets in Uzbekistan, dating back to the times of the Great Silk Road. The trading areas are located under a monumental dome, which is decorated in the traditional Uzbek style and glazed tiles with ornaments.
The Chorsu bazaar has literally everything: fruits, spices, oriental sweets, dishes, national clothes, souvenirs made by local craftsmen and much more. In the open part of the market you can try the most delicious dishes of Uzbek cuisine: pilaf, samsa, lagman, shurpa, homemade lamb sausage khasip and hot aromatic flatbreads.
