Tashkent Attractions
Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan, is renowned for its numerous attractions that reflect its rich cultural and historical heritage. Among the notable sites is the Hazrati Imam ensemble with its ancient mosques and library, which houses one of the oldest Qurans in the world. It is also worth visiting the Kukeldash madrasa, built in the 16th century, and the famous Chorsu Bazaar, where you can immerse yourself in the atmosphere of an oriental market. Modern architectural achievements are represented by the Tashkent TV Tower and the impressive buildings in the business district. The Tashkent Metro, the first in Central Asia, is not only functional but also amazes with its beautiful stations, each a masterpiece of art.
Tashkent: City of a Thousand Wonders
Tashkent is a city of contrasts. Here you can see ancient mosques and madrasas, modern skyscrapers, and shopping centers. It is a city with a thousand-year history and rich culture. You can find many attractions here that tell the story of the past and present of this remarkable city.
Amir Timur Square
The history of the square in the center of Tashkent, now named after Amir Timur, began in the 19th century when the city became the center of the Turkestan Military District of the Russian Empire. Established in 1882, the square was a small park surrounded by buildings of gymnasiums, a seminary, and a bank.
In the center of the square stands a monument to Amir Timur, the founder of a unified state stretching from the Mediterranean Sea to India. The monument is a bronze figure of Timur on horseback, bearing the motto “Strength in Justice” in four languages.
In 2009, the square was renovated, transforming into a plaza with fountains and greenery. Surrounding the square are the Uzbekistan Hotel, the Law Institute, the Amir Timur Museum, the Tashkent Chimes, and the Palace of Forums.
The Palace of Forums, built in 2009, became a venue for major events. It covers nearly 10,000 square meters, and its 48-meter-high dome is crowned with a figure of storks.
Historical buildings around the square, such as the Law Institute and the Amir Timur Museum, hold significant value. The museum houses exhibits from Timur’s era, including miniatures and a copy of the Uthman Quran.
The Tashkent Chimes, a city symbol, were constructed in 1947. In 2009, new chimes were added, forming the “gates” of the square.
The square is a popular recreational spot due to its proximity to a cinema and entertainment centers. It is one of the city’s landmarks and a center of contemporary history.
In the center of the square stands a monument to Amir Timur, the founder of a unified state stretching from the Mediterranean Sea to India. The monument is a bronze figure of Timur on horseback, bearing the motto “Strength in Justice” in four languages.
In 2009, the square was renovated, transforming into a plaza with fountains and greenery. Surrounding the square are the Uzbekistan Hotel, the Law Institute, the Amir Timur Museum, the Tashkent Chimes, and the Palace of Forums.
The Palace of Forums, built in 2009, became a venue for major events. It covers nearly 10,000 square meters, and its 48-meter-high dome is crowned with a figure of storks.
Historical buildings around the square, such as the Law Institute and the Amir Timur Museum, hold significant value. The museum houses exhibits from Timur’s era, including miniatures and a copy of the Uthman Quran.
The Tashkent Chimes, a city symbol, were constructed in 1947. In 2009, new chimes were added, forming the “gates” of the square.
The square is a popular recreational spot due to its proximity to a cinema and entertainment centers. It is one of the city’s landmarks and a center of contemporary history.
Hazrati Imam Ensemble
The Hazrati Imam Ensemble (Uzbek: Hazrati Imom majmuasi) is a religious complex in Tashkent, built around the tomb of Hazrati Imam (full name — Abu Bakr ibn Ismail al-Kaffal ash-Shoshi).
Hazrati Imam was an outstanding scholar, expert in the Quran and Hadiths, one of the first preachers of Islam in Tashkent, as well as a poet and craftsman. He was also a master locksmith, earning the nickname “Kaffal” (“Locksmith”), and was fluent in 72 languages.
In addition to the architectural structures, the ensemble houses a library of Eastern manuscripts and the Quran of Caliph Uthman. The Quran, consisting of 353 parchment leaves, was originally located in Medina, then Damascus, and Baghdad.
It was transported from Baghdad to Samarkand by Tamerlane. In 1869, the Uthman Quran was taken to Saint Petersburg, where its authenticity was confirmed. It was later moved to Ufa, and subsequently to Tashkent.
The Uthman Quran kept in Tashkent is the only surviving original manuscript of the Quran. This is certified by UNESCO on August 28, 2000.
Hazrati Imam was an outstanding scholar, expert in the Quran and Hadiths, one of the first preachers of Islam in Tashkent, as well as a poet and craftsman. He was also a master locksmith, earning the nickname “Kaffal” (“Locksmith”), and was fluent in 72 languages.
In addition to the architectural structures, the ensemble houses a library of Eastern manuscripts and the Quran of Caliph Uthman. The Quran, consisting of 353 parchment leaves, was originally located in Medina, then Damascus, and Baghdad.
It was transported from Baghdad to Samarkand by Tamerlane. In 1869, the Uthman Quran was taken to Saint Petersburg, where its authenticity was confirmed. It was later moved to Ufa, and subsequently to Tashkent.
The Uthman Quran kept in Tashkent is the only surviving original manuscript of the Quran. This is certified by UNESCO on August 28, 2000.
Tilla Sheikh Mosque
The Tilla Sheikh Mosque in Tashkent, built in 1857 by the order of one of the wealthiest merchants, was the city's main Friday mosque. The mosque's name translates as "Mosque of the Golden Sheikh."
The mosque building is rectangular with two minarets that served as beacons for trade caravans. You can climb the minarets via a winding staircase. The minaret domes are covered with blue glaze, and the walls are decorated with mosaics. The main prayer hall, known as the winter hall, has floors covered with carpets on which one may only walk barefoot.
At the center is a carved wooden pulpit for reading prayers, next to which is the mihrab indicating the direction of Mecca. The mosque ceilings are painted, and the windows are adorned with intricate gancha (a lattice made from a mixture of plaster and clay). Photography inside is prohibited.
The mosque has a courtyard, a library, and utility buildings. In summer, Muslims can pray in the courtyard, which features an outer gallery.
It is said that a hair from the head of the Prophet Muhammad is kept in Tilla Sheikh, but it is hidden from visitors' eyes.
After the 1966 earthquake, the mosque building was partially damaged and began to deteriorate. Restoration work was carried out in the 2000s.
Today, Tilla Sheikh is part of the Hast Imam (Hazrati Imam) religious complex and continues to function. Artisan shops operate at the mosque, where handmade crafts can be purchased.
The mosque building is rectangular with two minarets that served as beacons for trade caravans. You can climb the minarets via a winding staircase. The minaret domes are covered with blue glaze, and the walls are decorated with mosaics. The main prayer hall, known as the winter hall, has floors covered with carpets on which one may only walk barefoot.
At the center is a carved wooden pulpit for reading prayers, next to which is the mihrab indicating the direction of Mecca. The mosque ceilings are painted, and the windows are adorned with intricate gancha (a lattice made from a mixture of plaster and clay). Photography inside is prohibited.
The mosque has a courtyard, a library, and utility buildings. In summer, Muslims can pray in the courtyard, which features an outer gallery.
It is said that a hair from the head of the Prophet Muhammad is kept in Tilla Sheikh, but it is hidden from visitors' eyes.
After the 1966 earthquake, the mosque building was partially damaged and began to deteriorate. Restoration work was carried out in the 2000s.
Today, Tilla Sheikh is part of the Hast Imam (Hazrati Imam) religious complex and continues to function. Artisan shops operate at the mosque, where handmade crafts can be purchased.
Kukeldash Madrasa
Located in the Old City near the Chorsu Bazaar, it was built in 1570 during the Shaybanid era. The construction was overseen by the viziers Barak Khan and Dervish Khan, who earned the nickname "Kukeldash" (milk brother). The madrasa was named in his honor. It became not only an educational institution but also part of the ensemble of the main city square.
The building was distinguished by beautiful artistic decoration and an abundance of sky-blue majolica, rivaling the finest works of architects from Samarkand and Bukhara. However, earthquakes in the 19th century, restorations, and a period of economic decline completely altered its original appearance.
At different times, it fell into disrepair and was used for other purposes; for example, in the 17th century, it served as a caravanserai. In the mid-20th century, during the Soviet period, it housed an atheism exhibition and a display of Uzbekistan's national instruments.
A full-scale restoration began after Uzbekistan gained independence. It was carried out based on 19th-century photographs.
The building's layout remained traditional: a large inner courtyard surrounded by two-story cells (kholas) for students. The cells connect to classrooms, a mosque, and iwans. On one of the interior walls, an inscription reads: "Death is inevitable, but the works created by man remain forever."
The 20-meter-high portal, decorated with majolica, was restored in white and blue tones. At the edges are towers (gulduzta), from which muezzins call the faithful to prayer. The madrasa's windows are adorned with lattices – panjara – bearing the names of Allah and the Prophet Muhammad.
The building was distinguished by beautiful artistic decoration and an abundance of sky-blue majolica, rivaling the finest works of architects from Samarkand and Bukhara. However, earthquakes in the 19th century, restorations, and a period of economic decline completely altered its original appearance.
At different times, it fell into disrepair and was used for other purposes; for example, in the 17th century, it served as a caravanserai. In the mid-20th century, during the Soviet period, it housed an atheism exhibition and a display of Uzbekistan's national instruments.
A full-scale restoration began after Uzbekistan gained independence. It was carried out based on 19th-century photographs.
The building's layout remained traditional: a large inner courtyard surrounded by two-story cells (kholas) for students. The cells connect to classrooms, a mosque, and iwans. On one of the interior walls, an inscription reads: "Death is inevitable, but the works created by man remain forever."
The 20-meter-high portal, decorated with majolica, was restored in white and blue tones. At the edges are towers (gulduzta), from which muezzins call the faithful to prayer. The madrasa's windows are adorned with lattices – panjara – bearing the names of Allah and the Prophet Muhammad.
Tashkent Metro
The Tashkent Metro (Uzbek: Toshkent metropoliteni, Тошкент метроси) is the only metro system in Uzbekistan and the first in Central Asia. Opened in 1977, it became the seventh metro in the USSR after the metros of Moscow, Leningrad, Kiev, Tbilisi, Baku, and Kharkiv. In terms of line length, it ranks 68th worldwide and third among former Soviet metros (after Moscow and Saint Petersburg).
The metro system is shallow, similar to the Minsk Metro. Until the early 1990s, it bore the name of V. I. Lenin. The Tashkent Metro consists of 4 lines with a total length of 70.8 km and 50 stations (31 underground, 15 elevated, and 4 ground-level).
From 1996 to 2020, plastic tokens were used for fare payment. The Tashkent Metro was the sixth in the post-Soviet space to abolish token payments.
Between 2003 and 2006, an experiment with bank card payments was conducted, but due to slow transactions, the system was discontinued. Since November 1, 2020, fare payment is only contactless: using “ATTO” transport cards, NFC-enabled bank cards, QR codes in mobile apps, and single-use QR-coded tickets. The first turnstiles for contactless payment were installed at the “Druzhba Narodov” station on August 7, 2019.
Here are some metro stations worth visiting:
Since August 15, 2019, the fare was set at 1,400 Uzbek soms. From October 1, 2023, fares have changed: 1,700 soms for cashless payments and 2,000 soms for cash payments.
The metro system is shallow, similar to the Minsk Metro. Until the early 1990s, it bore the name of V. I. Lenin. The Tashkent Metro consists of 4 lines with a total length of 70.8 km and 50 stations (31 underground, 15 elevated, and 4 ground-level).
From 1996 to 2020, plastic tokens were used for fare payment. The Tashkent Metro was the sixth in the post-Soviet space to abolish token payments.
Between 2003 and 2006, an experiment with bank card payments was conducted, but due to slow transactions, the system was discontinued. Since November 1, 2020, fare payment is only contactless: using “ATTO” transport cards, NFC-enabled bank cards, QR codes in mobile apps, and single-use QR-coded tickets. The first turnstiles for contactless payment were installed at the “Druzhba Narodov” station on August 7, 2019.
Here are some metro stations worth visiting:
- “Alisher Navoi” – the main station of the Tashkent Metro. It is decorated with mosaics depicting works of the great Uzbek poet Alisher Navoi.
- “Pakhtakor” – a station on the Chilanzar line of the Tashkent Metro, opened in 1977. It is named after the football club of the same name, which is reflected in the station’s thematic design.
- “Independence Square” – the station is located on the square of the same name. It is adorned with mosaics depicting scenes from Uzbekistan’s history.
- “Kosmonavtlar” – a station dedicated to Soviet cosmonauts. It is decorated with mosaics showing rockets, satellites, and cosmonauts. The station’s ceiling resembles the “Milky Way,” with glowing glass stars.
Since August 15, 2019, the fare was set at 1,400 Uzbek soms. From October 1, 2023, fares have changed: 1,700 soms for cashless payments and 2,000 soms for cash payments.
Cathedral of the Dormition
Cathedral of the Dormition of the Mother of God (Hospital Church) is an Orthodox church serving as the cathedral of the Tashkent and Uzbekistan Diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church. The church is located on Avliyoota Street, near the central railway station. The rector of the church is Metropolitan Vikentiy of Tashkent and Uzbekistan.
Construction began in 1877, replacing the old building of the Panteleimon Church. Funds for its erection were donated by city residents, including the Turkestan Governor-General Konstantin von Kaufman and first guild merchant Dmitry Zakho. Construction was completed in 1878, and on January 31, 1879, it was consecrated in honor of the Great Martyr Panteleimon.
In 1922, the parish came under the jurisdiction of the Renovationist Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church. In 1933, the church was closed and used as a sanitary warehouse for the Central Asian Military District. In December 1945, the church was returned to the faithful, reconsecrated in the name of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos, and granted the status of the cathedral of the Tashkent Diocese. Between 1958 and 1960, the building was rebuilt and expanded under Bishop Ermogen (Golubev).
In 1978, the cathedral was renovated by architect V. I. Piskarev. In the early 1990s, under Metropolitan Vladimir (Ikim), the cathedral grounds were expanded thanks to Uzbekistan’s President Islam Karimov. At that time, a separate building for the holy water chapel was constructed, and the spiritual-administrative center began development.
On November 10, 1996, Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Russia celebrated a service in the cathedral during his visit to Tashkent. In 2007, construction began on the southern chapel of the cathedral in honor of Saints Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian, and John Chrysostom.
In 2008, the domes were renovated and construction of a new holy water chapel commenced. In 2009, a new bell tower, the tallest in Uzbekistan, was consecrated. In 2014, a decision was made to build an additional Church of Luke for conducting funeral services.
Construction began in 1877, replacing the old building of the Panteleimon Church. Funds for its erection were donated by city residents, including the Turkestan Governor-General Konstantin von Kaufman and first guild merchant Dmitry Zakho. Construction was completed in 1878, and on January 31, 1879, it was consecrated in honor of the Great Martyr Panteleimon.
In 1922, the parish came under the jurisdiction of the Renovationist Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church. In 1933, the church was closed and used as a sanitary warehouse for the Central Asian Military District. In December 1945, the church was returned to the faithful, reconsecrated in the name of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos, and granted the status of the cathedral of the Tashkent Diocese. Between 1958 and 1960, the building was rebuilt and expanded under Bishop Ermogen (Golubev).
In 1978, the cathedral was renovated by architect V. I. Piskarev. In the early 1990s, under Metropolitan Vladimir (Ikim), the cathedral grounds were expanded thanks to Uzbekistan’s President Islam Karimov. At that time, a separate building for the holy water chapel was constructed, and the spiritual-administrative center began development.
On November 10, 1996, Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Russia celebrated a service in the cathedral during his visit to Tashkent. In 2007, construction began on the southern chapel of the cathedral in honor of Saints Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian, and John Chrysostom.
In 2008, the domes were renovated and construction of a new holy water chapel commenced. In 2009, a new bell tower, the tallest in Uzbekistan, was consecrated. In 2014, a decision was made to build an additional Church of Luke for conducting funeral services.
Cathedral of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
This is a Catholic church in Tashkent, serving as the cathedral of the Apostolic Administration of Uzbekistan. It is located at 80/1 Makhtumkuli Street (landmark: old TashMI, opposite the Ecopark).
History
Construction of the Catholic church in Tashkent began in 1912 at the initiative of Father Justinas Bonaventura Pranaitis and according to the design of Polish architect Ludwik Panczakiewicz. Initially, construction was carried out by Catholic soldiers, and later by prisoner-of-war engineers, sculptors, and stonemasons. After Pranaitis’s death in 1917, construction continued under the leadership of Father Bolesław Rutenis. After the revolution and the Bolsheviks’ rise to power, construction was halted due to lack of funds.
From 1925 to 1976, the unfinished church was used as a dormitory and warehouse, during which time the sculptures were lost. In 1976, the building was restored and transferred to the Ministry of Culture of the Uzbek SSR, and in 1981 it was declared an architectural and historical monument.
In 1992, the cathedral building was returned to the Catholic parish of Tashkent. Full restoration began in 1993 under the direction of architect Sergey Adamov and engineer Alexander Ponomaryov. In 2000, the cathedral was consecrated by Archbishop Marian Oleś. In 2005, Pope John Paul II elevated the church’s status to Apostolic Administration and appointed Jerzy Maculewicz as its first bishop.
Currently, Sunday Masses are held in English, Russian, Korean, and Polish. The church is served by three Franciscan priest-monks and Bishop Jerzy Maculewicz.
History
Construction of the Catholic church in Tashkent began in 1912 at the initiative of Father Justinas Bonaventura Pranaitis and according to the design of Polish architect Ludwik Panczakiewicz. Initially, construction was carried out by Catholic soldiers, and later by prisoner-of-war engineers, sculptors, and stonemasons. After Pranaitis’s death in 1917, construction continued under the leadership of Father Bolesław Rutenis. After the revolution and the Bolsheviks’ rise to power, construction was halted due to lack of funds.
From 1925 to 1976, the unfinished church was used as a dormitory and warehouse, during which time the sculptures were lost. In 1976, the building was restored and transferred to the Ministry of Culture of the Uzbek SSR, and in 1981 it was declared an architectural and historical monument.
In 1992, the cathedral building was returned to the Catholic parish of Tashkent. Full restoration began in 1993 under the direction of architect Sergey Adamov and engineer Alexander Ponomaryov. In 2000, the cathedral was consecrated by Archbishop Marian Oleś. In 2005, Pope John Paul II elevated the church’s status to Apostolic Administration and appointed Jerzy Maculewicz as its first bishop.
Currently, Sunday Masses are held in English, Russian, Korean, and Polish. The church is served by three Franciscan priest-monks and Bishop Jerzy Maculewicz.