Monuments, Memorial Places and Statues in Tashkent

Listed and described below are the official Monuments, Memorial Places and Statues of importance in Tashkent. For each location there is a short description, general location with address and opening hours where available. For reference, please make use of available Google supported Map of Tashkent, Uzbekistan and the "Three Stans".

- Amir Temur Square and Monument:

Amir Temur Square is considered the symbolical and actual political center of Uzbekistan. After Uzbek Independence the name of the square was changed from Lenin Square to Amir Temur square, honoring the (perceived) greatest statesman in Uzbek History, Amir Temur internationally known as Tamer the Lame or Tamerlane. In life, Amir Temur battled the Persians, the Ottoman Turks and the Russians, defeating all. At the top of his power Amir Temur ruled an trans-Eurasian Empire which included 27 countries. He died on the way to invading Ming Dynasty China.

(Read more in: "History of Tashkent".)

The monument to Amir Temur is the center piece of the square. In addition there is a museum dedicated to the great Ruler Amir Temur and his Timurid Empire on the north side of the Square.

The Amir Temur monument is represented as a bronze figure of Amir Timur with imperial regalia on a reared horse. The monument plinth is engraved with an Amir Timur’s famous motto in four languages “Power is in Justice”. The monument author is the sculptor Ilkhom Jabbarov.

- Aktepa Yunusabad Monument:

Yusunabad refers to the District of Tashkent in which this monument is situated. The monument is clearly associated with nearby Aktepa Yunusabad Mosque which stands to the north east.

Address / Location: In a park with hill due west of Chinobod Street (Chinobod Kochasi). Due south-west of Yusunobod Aktepa Mosque.

- Alisher Navoi Monument:

The Alisher Navoi Monument is part of the larger Alisher Navoi Park which itself in turn lies adjoining the National Park of Uzbekistan in Tashkent. Both are dedicated to the life, creations and memory of the 15th century Turkic Poet and song writer Mīr 'Alisher Navai (Life: 9 February 1441 - 3 January 1501), also known as Nizām-al-Din ʿAlisher Herawī (Chagatai-Turkic/Persian: نظامالدین علیشیر نوایی), who lived as a citizen of Herat in Afghanistan, in his days a part of the Timurid Empire founded by Amir Temur. As a proponent of Turkic language in an otherwise Persian (Iranian) dominated continent wide Empire, today Alisher Navoi is hailed in Uzbekistan as one of the historic proponents of what today has evolved into the Uzbek Identity, script and culture. He is popularly and widely remembered as poet, writer, politician, linguist, mystic, and painter and in Uzbek literature is considered the greatest representative of Chagatai literature ((جغتای Jağatāy ; also Kona Yëziq (Literally: Old Language), literature written in a now extinct form of Turkic language which served as the main language in literary circles throughout Central Asia well into the 20th century (it was lost in the Soviet Era). As such a great Grandfather of Uzbek literature, language and ethnic culture, his memory is considered important enough to have a street, a park, a monument, an Opera Theatre and a Metro Station named after him, not to mention have the Alisher Navoi Museum of Literature founded on his memory.

Address/Location: Inside Alisher Navoi Park.

to the Motherland memorial it is a Nationalist but also Militarist Monument.

The Oath to the Motherland Memorial serves as the replacement for an earlier Soviet Era statue of a Russian Soldier named "Defender of the Motherland", which of course after Uzbek Independence could no longer have a place in front of the National Defense Museum. The monument was designed and shaped in less that a month time by local artist Jaloliddin Mirtojiev of the Uzbek National Arts Academy in Tashkent. At its unveiling in 2010, President Islam Karimov was present himself, declaring in a speech "We may be proud that over a short period of time in Uzbekistan a mobile, well-armed, and technically equipped army...[that can] repulse any aggressor has been created".

Address / Location: Mirzo Ulugbek Avenue. Adjacent the Defense Museum.

- Poetess Zulfiye Monument:

Is a monument to the influential poetess and Uzbek Tashkent native Zulfiya Isroilova, known by her pen name Zulfiya (in Cyrillic Зулфия) (Life: 14 March 1915 in Tashkent then part of the Russian Empire - 23 August 1996 in Tashkent, Uzbekistan). Born in Tashkent during her life was an Uzbek poet and writer who became known for her patriotic, nationalist propagandistic but also naturalistic and other writings, including work on women's emancipation. She was also an editor a several leading magazines of her time.

The statue was unveiled some 3 years after her death, on March 1, 2008.

Location: In the garden south-west adjacent the State Museum of Arts. Address: North side of Shahrisabz Street. Near Talas Grigorievich Shevgenko Monument.

- Taras Grigorievich Shevgenko Monument:

Is a monument to the Ukranian native Taras Hryhorovych Shevchenko (Life: March 9 [O.S. February 25] 1814 - March 10 [O.S. February 26] 1861), who in life was a poet, a political activist and established public and political figure. As an ethnographer, Shevgenko insisted on writing in his native Ukranian rather than the Russian State language, His aim was transformation of the Russian Empire into something more alike a Federation of Ethnic States (not dominated by the Russians) thus landing him in political hot waters on various occasions. Today Shevchenko is considered the (modern) founding father of Ukranian Literature and to a large extend its (current) language. Although in life Shevgenko, made no visits to Uzbekistan or has other physical ties with that Nation, he is honored for his contribution to the rights of ethnic peoples and their cultures within the Soviet Union including the Uzbek culture, language and heritage.

Location/ Address: Near Poetess Zulfiya Monument and State Museum of Arts.

- World War II Memorial:

The Tashkent World War 2 memorial monument is situated at Independence Square. Fronted by an eternal flame, it was constructed in 1999 to honor of the 400,000 Uzbek soldiers who died during the World War II (in Russia; The Great Patriotic War). The niches along its two corridors house their names are written.

As one should know, the German Invasion of Russia in 1941 resulted in an epic struggle for survival and victory for both powerful Nations in that time. During the four year war, before the Soviet Union emerged victorious and taking the German Capital, an estimated 20 million+ Russians, soldiers and citizens lost their lives.

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (Russian:Могила Неизвестного Солдата) also the Eternal Flame - a sacred place in Independence Square is a related Monument in the shape of an eternal flame commemorating the fallen soldiers of World War 2. The monument consists of a flame and sad woman. It represents the country and every mother (or wife) the son or husband has not returned home from the war.

Address / Location: Off Mustaqillik Maydoni and Navoi Boulevard (Navoi Shoh Kochasi).

- 1966 Earthquake Memorial (Monument to Courage):

As may be read in the "History of Tashkent" more extensively, in the year 1966 a very earthquake struck Tashkent leveling large parts of the city, killing many and rendering far more people homeless. The 1966 Earthquake Memorial site is dedicated to the memory of the victims of this momentous event in the modern history of Tashkent and more specifically is dedicated to the many Soviet men and women- who flocked from across the Soviet Union in order to help the rebuild what was at the time the 4th largest city in the Empire in the spirit of the (Marxist fundamental) "Fraternity of the Peoples". The monument consists of large stone statues representative of the Marxist Soviet style, featuring a massive heroic bare breasted working man and a figure of a woman flanked by a wall with bronze relief scenes.

The monument was built and inaugurated in 1976 to honor the 10th anniversary of the terrible earthquake that destroyed almost half of the city.

Address / Location: North side of Mustaqilik Maydoni.

- Yuri Gagarin Memorial:

Is a monument to the worlds first man in space, the Soviet Kosmonaut Yuri Gagarin (Russian: Ю́рий Алексе́евич Гага́рин)(Life: 9 March 1934 - 27 March 1968). On April 12, 1968, he became the first human to orbit the earth outside of its atmosphere, thus becoming a world famous personality, a hero of the Soviet Union and one of the most recognized faces on the planet in his day.

The Memorial composition made by the sculptor Postnikova and architect C. Adilova, depicts Yuri Gagarin in bronze in full size, standing on the earth hemisphere while holding in his palm a satellite, the Sputnik 1 ("Satellite-1", or "PS-1", Простейший Спутник-1 or Prosteyshiy Sputnik-1, "Elementary Satellite 1"), the first (soviet built) satellite to orbit the planet, a small device which heralded in the era of human space exploration. The monument is completed with a very long boom standing overhead, symbolizing an arc in the heavens, which is what Yuri Gagarin made his first space orbit of planet earth.

Address / Location: Mall Chilanzar, Yuri Gagarin Park, Chilanzar area.

Theatre, the State Museum of the History of Uzbekistan. the Ministry of Finance and the Museum of Fine Arts.

Apart from the Independence Square and Monument which sit across from and in front of Parliament, in the north there further is the so called "Area of Memory and Honor" (See next item below), which includes the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (Tashkent) a monument to Soviet Soldiers in WWII and is where all National Commemoration ceremonies are held. On the opposite side in the south one may find the Memory Area. The memory area, also popularly dubbed "Memory Lane" is the National Place of Remembrance for all those (non-military) who participated, suffered and strived for Uzbekistan in the second world war.

Other well known parts of the Independence Square area are the Arch of Ezgulik ( "Ezgulik" translates as "Humanism" (which is dedicated to world peace through the fraternity of peoples and finally the Ankhor River of Tashkent which crosses partially through Independence Square.

Altogether, the three main parts of Independence Square join together in design and meaning, proclaiming both pride of Independence and deep sorrow about the past.

As one will find, after passing the Humanity and Fraternity Arch visitors come to the main monument of the Independence. It is shaped as a high pedestal with a golden globe erected on the top. Before the pedestal there is a statue of a seated mother with a baby in her arms. Albeit it at a distance, she is however flanked by the monuments to the fallen world war 2.

Thus, in a rather Sovietesque way, the monumental complex which spreads between the Parliament and Ministry of Finance along the main river of the city serves as a proclamation of the revival of the Uzbek Peoples National spirit and symbolizes Uzbekistan as a free independent state.

Historically, prior to the Independence of Uzbekistan from the Russian dominated Soviet Union (U.S.S.R.), the square was known as Lenin Square. However, as soon as Independence was made reality, the ruling Uzbek Government initiated drastic changes to names and monuments within the city. Naturally, among the first squares to be renamed were Amir Temur Square (previously: Konstantin (Kaufmann) Square, then after 1917 Revolution Square) and secondly the Lenin Square at the Parliament. Since September of the year 1991, Lenin Square has been renamed and has become the Independence Square, a proud symbol of the Nation State of Uzbekistan. The Monument of Independence itself was erected in the next year 1992, and the complete reconstruction of the area, modernizing it from its rather drab Soviet Era appearance, was completed in the year 2006.

Location / Address: One large block west of Amir Temur Square, this is also the address of the National Parliament. The Square Area is spread between Uzbekistan Avenue (Uzbekiston Maydoni) in the south and Alisher Navoi Avenue in the north. Travel there through Mustaqillik (Independence) Metro Station.

Day of Commemoration but also Victory Day is a day of celebrations. Thus, on may the 9th of each year (Victory Day in the Great Patriotic War ; День Победы в , 9 мая) National Ceremonies to commemorate the dead are held at this location. Among things, on this day all Uzbek veterans congregate on the spot in order to participate in the event. Usually, a crowd of citizens also gathers.

Although, (in 1991) Uzbekistan has become independent from the Soviet Union (U.S.S.R.) which then effectively dissolved, the May 9th Ceremonies are still considered as of the utmost importance to everyone. As is duly remembered “On the eve of the Second World War, about 6.5 million people lived in our country (Uzbekistan Socialist Soviet Republic), 1.5 million of them fought on the fronts of the war. Without taking into account infants, children, old people and women, more than 40 percent of the citizens of Uzbekistan took part in military battles. Millions more people were engaged on the labor front.” Not only did Uzbekistan serve as secure production base in support of the war against Fascist Germany, some 450 thousand Uzbek's died for their Nation and the freedom of the world. In addition, the Uzbek people also sheltered tens of thousands people from Russia, Ukraine and other regions of the former Soviet Union who were evacuated to Uzbekistan. Many orphans were adopted by the Uzbek families.

The Day not only commemorates the dead but also serves as a day for officials from across the country to connect with often old and ailing veterans, or their families, and pay attention to their specific needs. This is an important aspect of the day, which serves to demonstrate the public support for the Uzbek Armed Forces to guard the much prized Uzbek Independence won in 1991. In turn, the day also knows many inspirational activities aimed at getting Uzbek youth involved in such issues as public health, support for the elderly and respect for those who work hard at all levels in order to sustain the Uzbek State. As a result, the National Day of Memory and Honor, and ceremonies at the monument are not entirely an affair of mourning but the day also has a festive and inspirational side. congratulate their veterans: festive concerts, feasts, charity events, awards with prizes are held in all cities. May 9th is also the Victory day upon which the Uzbek people congratulate their veterans, enjoy festive concerts, (traditional) dancing, food, feasts, charity events, awards with prizes are also an important part of the day. As traveling visitors may find, among the crowds who flock to the event, most are not sad yet proud of taking part and being among their kin, uniting for the Nation whereas being cheerful to find time to catch up with old friends or just spend some quality family time.

On the same day, many will visit the Lamenting Mother Memorial at the Mass Graves Memorial Park in Tashkent.

Address / Location: The area comprises the northern part of the (enlarged) Independence Square (Mustaqilik Maydoni). Befittingly, the square is also home to the National Parliament of Uzbekistan and other memorial sites may be found nearby.

- Akmal Ikromov Monument:

Is the Tashkent Memorial Monument to Akmal Ikramovich Ikramov (Life: 1898 - 1938) was a Tashkent born and native Uzbek politician active in Uzbek SSR politics who is mostly noted for serving as the First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Uzbekistan from 1929 to 1937 and as such for bearing the most responsibility for designing the specifics of the design of anti-islamic actions during the First five-year plan of the Uzbek Soviet Republic. (Read more in: "History of Tashkent")

In 1937 Ikromov was arrested and put on trial during Stalin's Great Purge, and was subsequently executed. In the 1950s rehabilitated by the Communist Party, he is honored today as a great historic model and founder of the current Uzbek State.

Address / Location: Outdoors in the western parts of Ikmal Ikromov Recreation Park, Foziltepa Street (Foziltepa Kochasi) / Farhod Street (Farhod Kochasi).

- Cosmonauts Memorial Monument:

The monument was built in 1984 after the momentous and heroic last space flight of Uzbekistan's first cosmonaut (astronaut) Vladimir Aleksandrovich Dzhanibekov (Russian: Владимир Александрович Джанибеков) who was born 13 May 1942 in Bostanliq District of Tashkent. The monument in general commemorates the contributions of all those in science and space exploration who furthered the aspirations of mankind to explore the Universe. In addition, separately it features a statue of Vladimir Dzhanibekov, who became a National Hero of Uzbekistan and in his last flight, one of the greatest names in the history of the Soviet Space Program. The monument features names of the famous scholars, scientists and cosmonauts born in Uzbekistan.

Address / Location: Afrosiab street, west behind Kosmonavtlar (Cosmonauts) Metro Station.

- Druzhby Narodov Monument (Дружба народов)(Fraternity of the Peoples Monument):

Is exactly what its name suggests, a National Monument to the fraternity of the Peoples. During the Soviet Union Era in the Russian language: Дружба народов, druzhba narodov, the fraternity of the Peoples was not merely a loose and perhaps dreamy utopian ideal, but had a a deeper meaning on several levels. To begin with, Fraternity of the Peoples is a fundamental Marxist principle the concept of which thus advanced by Marxist social class theory and the Government for many decades. According to Marxism, nationalism is only a tool of the ruling class, used to keep the working class divided and thus easier to control and exploit. With the success of class struggle (i.e. the abolition of social classes), the natural brotherhood of all workers (including the abolishment of wars fought by these workers for their upper caste masters) would make the idea of separate nations obsolete. The concept of the fraternity of the peoples is often opposed to "bourgeois cosmopolitanism".

In addition to this, the terms fraternity of the peoples also carries a heavy secondary meaning in Uzbekistan, when it is used to refer to the inter-Ethnic relations to be carried forth within an ideal socialist Empire. Although, Communism has come and gone in Uzbekistan by now, the issue of ethnic relations remains crucial on a National and Regional level, as well as in the relations with the Russian Federation. Notably, historically, before the Revolution succeeded, the Tzar (Emperor) was considered the slave master of all Russians and subordinate peoples. For this reason, the Tsarist Russian Empire was dubbed the "prison of the peoples" ("Тюрьма народов") by Vladimir Lenin (and contemporaries, also suggested by the lyrical poet Sergei Yesenin). The Soviet Union (U.S.S.R.), which overthrew the Monarchy to reshape the politics and borders of the empire, proclaimed that the goal of its national policy was to forge a new national entity, the "Soviet people". Even though the Soviet Union often claimed to make significant progress on 'the nationalities question', in reality, especially under the horrific reign of Joseph Stalin, ethnic identity was suppressed and such things as Nationality questions lingered under the surface. As is still commemorated yearly in Tashkent at the Monument and Park dedicated to this purpose Uzbek Nationality issues were often ignored. In addition, Islamic tradition and thoughts was seen as undesirable to the modern soviet man and women, and therefor its tradition and practice were greatly discouraged. Political dissidents, as they did across the Soviet Union, were imprisoned, tortured, disappeared and killed. Again, especially in the dark ages of the Stalin Era, Uzbek national culture - although still widely spread, was treated as political prop and otherwise usually underrated (except locally). Russian language and culture were prioritized over others causing great dissatisfaction. In short, ethnic tensions played a very important role in the eventual dissolution of the Soviet Union, with notably the most impoverished and ignored states declaring independence first. For all the above reason, the monument for the Peoples Fraternity will likely continue to stand in Tashkent for a long time still.

Address/Location: Wedged between Bobur Street (Bobur Kochasi) and Bratislava Street (Bratislava Kochasi). Inside Dustlik aka Babur (Bobur) recreation park.

- Hamid Olimjan Monument:

Is a monument to Hamid Olimjon (sometimes spelled Hamid Alimjan in English) (Uzbek: Ҳамид Олимжон; Hamid Olimjon; Russian: Хамид Алимджан; Khamid Alimdzhan) (Life: 12 December 1909 – 3 July 1944), a native of Jizzakh Region in Uzbekistan and in life an Uzbek poet, playwright, scholar, and literary translator of the Soviet period who was married to the equally talented and renowned Uzbek poet Zulfiya (to whom there also is a monument in Tashkent, situated in the Garden of the State Museum of Arts). A prolific writer of mainly poetry since his student years, Olimjan died in a car crash in 1944, at the early age of 34 years.

Today a station of Tashkent Metro, a building of Uzbekistan's Writers' Union, the Samarkand Province Theater and a number of important Government buildings in Uzbekistan are named after him.

Address / Location: In front of the Public Library of Tashkent, address: Mustaqilik Avenue across the street from Hamid Olimjan Metro Station.

- Lamenting Mother Memorial (also Mass Graves Memorial site):

Is better understood as the park to commemorate the many victims of Soviet Political Repression over the decades that Uzbekistan was part of the Soviet Union (U.S.S.R.). Today, this site is configurated as a memorial park named Mass Graves Memorial site, the centerpiece of which is the Lamenting Mother Memorial, a more than life sized stone sculpture of a crying mother set on a high and massive stone pillar.

The Lamenting Mother monument which was erected in honour of soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the sake of peace and salvation of innocent people. It is at this time unclear, what exactly the term Mass Graves Memorial refers to, however historically it is known that the number of casualties on the Russian Side often was thus high as to require the mass burial of many at one site. For instance, the body of one of the Uzbek war heroes honored at the park, was first buried in a mass grave in Poland before having a more proper reburial later on.

From the same stone used to create the lamenting mother, the artist split off two additional pieces which now flank the lamenting mother in the shape of two busts on each side. These busts are sub-monuments erected in memory of the great historic personages of the Uzbek World War 2 Heroes Viktor Malyasov and Jurakhon Usmanov, both made a "Hero of the Soviet Union" for their considerable deeds. To be more specific; Victor Malyasov (Виктор Малясов)(Life:7 November, 1917 Tashkent - 17 Oktober, 1944 Died in action at Razminin near Warschau in current day Poland) received the highest honorary title of Hero of the Soviet Union in January of 1944. In the year previous, as a Captain of the Soviet Army he had led his unit (76th Guards Rifle Division of the 61st Central Front Army) successfully into battle on several occasions, among things with his unit securing a vital bridgehead across the river Dnjepr, which he managed to defend against a numerically far superior German counter attack, thus allowing the Soviet Army a victory and swift river crossing of vital strategic importance. He was made Hero of the Soviet Union number (2974) with the Order of Lenin as well as a Gold Star. (In life he also received the Red Star, Alexander Nevsky Order and First Grade Award of the Patriotic War). Unfortunately for Malyasov, in September of 1944 he again participated in a daring raid behind the actual front lines and died in action.

The story of Jurakhon Usmanov so far remains untraceable.

A short distance from the central monument there is a memorial for those who have died in peacetime and in a corner one may find the Tomb of the Uzbek Hero General Sabir Rakhimov is there as well. General Sabir Rakhimov (Uzbek: Sobir Umar o'g'li Rakhimov ; Сабир Умар-Оглы Рахимов)(Life: 25 January 1902 Tashkent - 26 March 1945) was an Uzbek Red Army Major general who during world war 2 was also made a Hero of the Soviet Union. Born in Tashkent into an impoverished working class family, and following a military career for life, Rahimov fought in World War II from 1940 onwards in the western special military front (the front lines against the German onslaught). Having completed his studies at Military Academy of the General Staff and made a (Major) General in 1943, he subsequently commanded the 37th Guards Rifle Division from November 1944. Extensively decorated and a Hero of the Soviet Union, Rahimov lived through the intense street battles of the East Pomeranian Offensive (as part of the 65th Army (Today: The North Western Operational Command (SZOK) is a command of the Belarus Ground Forces)), subsequently pushing onwards to the coastline in view of the "Danzig Corridor". This is where Rahimov ultimately found himself killed-in-action when his position on the Baltic Coast suffered a direct hit from a Naval Gun near Gdańsk (Poland). He was hit in the head by shrapnel and died some 8 hours later.

Later, due to a widely scoped propaganda effort, during the period of the Uzbek Soviet Republic Rakhimov was considered an Uzbek national hero, as he was the first Uzbek to manage to reach the rank of General of the Red Army. Rakhimov was buried in Tashkent's Kafanova Park. On 6 May 1965, he was posthumously awarded the title Hero of the Soviet Union and the Order of Lenin. Two years later in 1967, an Uzbek film was dedicated to his life and heroic deeds.

Apart from his tomb at the Mass Grave Memorial Site, a Metro station(s), streets, schools and other places in Uzbekistan have named after Rakhimov. However, these were all renamed during 2010 and 2011 as part of a campaign by Islam Karimov to remove Soviet influence. Thus, a separate Statue of the General situated in another location of Tashkent was demolished on 6 January 2011.

Address / Location: Exactly 6 kilometers due south-west of Amir Temur Square and west of the Tashkent Railway Yard. Situated along Chapata Street (Chapata Kochasi) / Umar Nasir Street (Umar Nasir Kochasi).

- Mirzo Ulugbek Memorial:

It was named after the astronomer, mathematician and Sultan Ulugh Beg.