Tashkent is one of the most ancient cities of Central Asia. Its history goes back over two thousand years. At different times the city had different names Chach, Jaj, Binokent, Chachkent, Shashkent. It acquired its current name in the 11th century. Tourists will be interested in the sights of Tashkent. It is about them that we want to talk in our article.
A bit of history…
The history of Tashkent is amazing and unforgettable. For the first time they started talking about it at the end of the 11th century, since the city was located at the crossroads of trade routes. Tashkent has always been the desired prey of many militant tribes. Since ancient times, it was part of various states and khanates that existed on the territory of modern Uzbekistan. In the middle of the 19th century, Tashkent was annexed to the Russian Empire.
In 1966, the city was almost completely destroyed by a strong earthquake. It was rebuilt very quickly. Since then, Tashkent has evolved from an ordinary eastern city into a modern metropolis. The city is now consideredone of the most beautiful Asia.
Dzhanbas-Kala Fortress
Dzhanbas-Kala is one of the ancient sights of Tashkent. The fortress was built in the times of Ancient Khorezm. It has a rectangular shape (dimensions are 200170 m). The fortress has survived to this day in very good condition, since its walls have been covered with dunes for centuries.
The height of the fortifications reaches ten meters, which indicates the scale of the structure. Historians have no doubt that the fortress was built as a defensive complex. The main feature of the fortification is the fact that it has absolutely no corner towers, which is not typical for eastern buildings. In the center of the fortress there is a central street, on the sides of which residential areas are built, divided into small houses.
For several centuries, the fortress repelled the raids of nomads. But in the first century AD, the enemies nevertheless broke through the wall with the help of a battering ram and captured the city. Since then, the fortifications have been empty and destroyed by winds and rains, gradually only ruins remained from their former glory.
History Museum
Many tourists will be interested in the museums of Tashkent. One of them is the State Museum of the History of the Temurids, opened in 1996 in honor of Tamerlane, the founder of the dynasty. It is located in the very center of the city, in a building with a high blue dome, which combines modern elements with medieval traditions.
Inside the museum is richly decoratedleaf gold. The highlight of the institution is a crystal chandelier, the height of which reaches 8.5 meters. The museum funds consist of valuable exhibits, among which there are ancient finds. In total, the exposition consists of 4 thousand items. Among them are ornaments, manuscripts, jewelry, sculptures, paintings and more.
Art Gallery
From a large number of sights of Tashkent, it is worth highlighting the gallery of fine arts. It was opened not so long ago, in 2004. In its funds there is a large collection of works of art of the twentieth century and contemporary works. Among them are canvases of different directions and schools, including outstanding artists of Uzbekistan.
The gallery also has an extensive numismatic collection, which presents the rarest coins from all over Central Asia. The funds contain more than a thousand works of art and 2.5 thousand coins. The museum building consists of 15 halls equipped with modern technology.
TV tower
Tashkent TV tower can be singled out among the interesting buildings of our time. It is impossible not to notice it, because it is perfectly visible from any part of the city. The height of the tower is 375 meters. In Central Asia, there is no taller building than the Tashkent TV Tower, without which it is simply impossible to imagine the city. The center is equipped with modern equipment and provides television and radio broadcasting in several areas.
The TV tower is equipped with an observation deck at a height of 94 meters. From such a high point opensstunning panorama of Tashkent. Tourists are taken to the observation deck by high-speed elevators. Guests can also visit the revolving restaurant, located at a height of 104 meters. Not so long ago, the tower celebrated its 25th anniversary. At one time it was built in a very prominent area of the city. Since the city is located in a seismically dangerous region, technologies were used during the construction, thanks to which the tower is able to withstand an earthquake with a power of 9 points. There is a tour group in the TV center that can tell a lot of interesting things about the history of the construction of the tower.
Circus
The Tashkent circus should become a must visit place. Its history goes back over a hundred years, despite the fact that it has existed in its usual form since 1976. The origin of circus art began in the region at the end of the 19th century. During this period, performances by Russian and European artists were held here. After that, semi-stationary tents appeared in a number of cities, which looked like bright tents. The first real circus in the city appeared in 1914. It would have continued to exist successfully, but was destroyed during an earthquake in 1966.
Ten years later, the circus was rebuilt. It is located in Khadra. The large blue dome of the circus is visible from afar. Before the appearance of the new building, the performance of artists was held at temporary venues. With the acquisition of the premises, circus art has reached a new level. The troupe of artists not only pleases with the performances of local residents, but also tours with their numbers of 30European and Asian countries.
Minor Mosque
Tourists can be recommended to see the Minor Mosque in Tashkent. A new architectural landmark appeared in the city quite recently, in 2014. The majestic temple is located on the coast of the Ankhor Canal. It immediately acquired the status of one of the significant spiritual centers of the country. The locals call the temple the "White Mosque" because it is lined with snow-white marble. On sunny days, the building seems to be illuminated from within.
It was made in typical Uzbek style and designed for 2400 people. The building has four minarets, a two-story prayer hall and several terraces, which are decorated with carved columns, as well as a courtyard. The interior of the temple is reminiscent of its recent construction, as modern finishing materials were used in the work. The rest of the building is decorated with traditional Central Asian decorations.
Theatre. Alisher Navoi
Bolshoi Theatre. Alisher Navoi is the pride of the country, as it is the only such institution in Southeast and Central Asia.
It once appeared on the basis of the Uzbek musical theater, went through many transformations and merged with other troupes, and only in 1948 was it given the name of Alisher Navoi. For many years of work, the theater has toured abroad more than once, took part in international festivals and interesting projects. Eminent foreign guests also perform on its stage.
At the initial stages of the theaterthe team did not have its own building. And the national architects had no experience in building such establishments where many spectators could gather. A national competition was announced, during which the best design of the building was chosen. Construction began in 1939, but then was interrupted at the beginning of the war. After a turning point during the offensive operations of the army, construction continued, and in 1945 the work was completed.
The theater building has its own characteristics. Inside, there are six foyers, each of which is made in the style of one of the regions of Uzbekistan. In front of the building there is a beautiful color-musical fountain, which can be considered an adornment of the entire architectural ensemble.
Metropolitan
Today Tashkent is a modern city with many attractions. One of them, according to residents, is the Tashkent metro. Its construction began after the restoration of the city after a terrible earthquake. The population of the capital grew rapidly and there was a need to establish a transport network. Station after station was gradually built. Construction was completed in 1991. Over the years, two lines of the Tashkent metro have been built. Ten years later, a third was opened.
Now there are 29 stations in the city, each of which is made in a unique architectural style. The lighting is no less interesting. At some stations it is incredibly bright, while at others it is quite dim. The air conditioning system keeps the subway comfortable forstay temperature.
Monuments of the city
In any city there are monuments, and Tashkent was no exception. On its squares and streets you can see many sculptures, among which the Courage monument deserves attention. It was put in memory of the terrible events of 1966. The monument is a composition of a black cube with a crack and a figure of a woman with a child, who are covered by a man. On one side of the cube, the date and hours are carved with the time of the start of the strongest earthquake. Near the monument there are relief compositions telling about the restoration of Tashkent. The monument serves as a silent reminder of the tragic events of the past.
Of the newer monuments, the most famous are: the Happy Mother Monument and the Independence Monument. The latter was erected in 1992 and is a symbol of the new country. Later, in 2006, the complex was supplemented with a figure of a mother with a child. Gradually, a tradition arose to lay flowers at the monument on public holidays.
Mirza Yusuf Mosque
Another attraction of the city is the Mirza Yusuf Mosque, built in the 80s of the XIX century. After the revolution, the building was a hostel. And in 1943, the mosque again passed into the hands of the Muslims, prayers began to be held here again. The building of the mosque was not destroyed during the earthquake. For more than a hundred years, it has been open to people.
In recent years, reconstruction work has begun at the mosque, thanks to which it has changed significantly. Widely used in interiorselements of folk woodcarving. On Fridays, the mosque gathers an incredible number of people hurrying from different areas.
Botanical Garden
Tashkent Botanical Garden was founded in 1943, during the war. Its area is 68 hectares. Tashkent park is the largest in Central Asia. Since its foundation, painstaking work has been carried out to grow crops from different parts of the world. More than 4.5 thousand shrubs, trees, flowers, lianas and other plants have been collected in the botanical garden. Among them are quite a few of the rarest representatives.
Due to the region's unique climate and the garden's own microclimate, it is possible to successfully grow plants from a variety of climatic zones. Conventionally, the garden is divided into five parts, which house typical representatives of different parts of the world - East and Central Asia, North America, Europe, and the Far East. In addition to plants that are found here in the open air, there are also nurseries, greenhouses, greenhouses, in which exotics from the tropics and subtropics grow.
The Botanical Garden is beautiful at any time of the year. In spring, it is immersed in the aroma of flowers and herbs; in summer, the park is cool. Even in winter, when the plants are already dormant, a walk in the garden is simply enchanting. Guests and tourists who decide to visit the park are completely delighted with what they see.
City Tours
Local travel companies offer a variety of tours around Tashkent. Among them there is also an overview program, which allows you to learn a lot about such a beautiful place in one day.place. During the tour, tourists are taken to the Old City, where Khast-Imam (the religious center of the city) is located. Here guests visit the Tilla-Sheikh Mosque, the Barak-Khan Madrasah, the mausoleum, the Islamic Institute. Then tourists walk along one of the oldest bazaars of the city - Chorsu. Afterwards, guests take the metro to Amir Timur Square, visit the Museum of Applied Arts and Independence Square. Different guides offer approximately the same list of attractions, but they may have slight differences. In general, any one-day tour allows you to see the most interesting places in Tashkent.
Instead of afterword
According to tourists, the sights of Tashkent are worthy of being seen live. Incredibly colorful city will not leave anyone indifferent. In addition to stunning historical monuments, you should definitely visit the local circus, theater and botanical garden. If you are not a fan of antiquity, you will definitely like modern sights.
