Apart from the main well known landmarks of the City of Tashkent, there is a variety of minor and major landmarks to be found in the outlying districts of Tashkent Region.
FOR AN OVERVIEW OF ALL LANDMARKS AND MONUMENTS OF TASHKENT PROVINCE (REGION), PLEASE REFER TO "LANDMARKS OF TASHKENT REGION" >>>>
EXCURSIONS AND LANDMARKS OUTSIDE OF TASHKENT CITY PROPER:
Google supported Map of Tashkent City and Uzbekistan, by AsiaReportcom.
Is the National Museum dedicated to Amir Temur (Persian: تیمور Temūr, Chagatai: Temür), in the west known as Timur Lenk or Tamerlane (Life: 9 April 1336 – 18 February 1405), a historical figure who, regardless of having been a rather brutal feudal despot and cruel conqueror, has become the main National Icon and Hero after the Independence of Uzbekistan from the failing Soviet Union (U.S.S.R.) in 1991. The Amir Temur statue which stands across and to the south of the Museum is considered the National Emblem of (political) Independence.
The museum is housed in a large square monumental building, designed as something between a Roman Forum and Mao Zedong's Mausoleum in Beijing. The building is topped with a circular green dome atop of which rides another statue of a victorious Amir Temur.
The Museum inauguration was dated to the 660th anniversary of (the death of) Amir Timur, in 2005. The Amir Timur Museum holds exhibits dedicated to the epoch of Timur and the subsequent Timurid Dynasty ((Persian: تیموریان), self-designated as Gurkani (Persian: گورکانیان, Gūrkāniyān))() which, as it is held officially today, founded a Nation based upon the current territories and provinces of Uzbekistan. Hence, his appropriation as Uzbek Revivalist Icon. Interestingly, as one will be able to view and learn, members of the Timurid Dynasty, the decendants of Amir Temur were particularly important in shaping Asian history. That is, in history, the Timurids established two significant empires in history, the Timurid Empire (1370-1507) based in Persia and Central Asia and the Mughal Empire (1526-1857) based in the Indian subcontinent. The first of these Empires, which as it is held today was a strongly Persian and Islamic- influenced Empire with according structures, made large conquest is Central and Western Asia, while being operated from the city of Samarkand in current day Uzbekistan. This is the Empire the history of which is highlighted at the Amir Temur Museum.
The second Empire spawned by the Timurid offspring was the Mughal Empire, which only came to being in the 16th century, but would go on to rule and dominate most of the Indian sub-continent until the arrival of British Colonialist forces in the 19th century. The Mughal Empire however, is not part of the exhibitions of the Amir Temur museum.
This is one of the most visited tourist sites in all of Tashkent and indeed a nearly obligatory place to visit. Visitors are advised to read up on Timurud History and the tales of conquest by Amir Temur before visiting the museum in order to have a more advanced experience. As with other museums, the (so far) lack of english language materials and explanations available at the museum has disappointed quite a few. If your Russian is good, this helps.
Address/Location: Situated on the north end of Amir Temur Square across from the Amir Temur Statue. Amir Temur Square in considered the modern city center of Tashkent and also the political center of Uzbekistan. Important buildings surround the square and dot the wider area. Impossible to miss.
- Applied Arts Museum (State Museum of Applied Art):
With a history going back to the year 1927, when a first Uzbek Arts exhibition was held, in 1997 the current Museum acquired its status as State Museum of Applied Arts, meaning that it is the Uzbek National Museum of Uzbek handicrafts and Cultural Arts.
According to its public information, The Museum of Applied Art fund lists over 7,000 samples of applied arts such as handmade embroidery, skull-caps (tyubeteyka), various kinds of traditional jewelry, carpets and other examples of craftsmanship of the beginning of the 19th century to present day.
The Applied Arts museum is housed in a large traditionally styled low building which somewhat resembles a Mosque, an effect which is accentuated by the abundance of colorful ceramic decorations decorating the exterior. According to the Museum, there are three separate parts of its exhibitions. These are;
- Works of applied arts based on ancient traditions and relating to schools;
- Works created since the second half of the 19th century with due consideration of traditional craftsmen’s methods;
and finally,
- Works of modern art, decorated with colorful ornaments on the basis of the modern arts development.
In addition to the exhibitions of Uzbek traditional products, the Museum also caters to the needs of passing tourist and travelers, by marketing the exhibited traditional wares through not one but two gift shops, where one may buy a whole scala of Uzbek Goods. It is a market place for paintings, graphics, porcelain, carpets, embroidery, fabrics, jewelry, coinage and the locally cherished varnished miniatures, all of which have been produced by modern Uzbek masters.
The Applied Arts Museum ranks among the most popular tourist venues to visit, and rightfully so. It is the place to find all traditional Uzbek Culture collected and serves a good basic starting guide on what to look for when further exploring and appreciating the ancient silk road arts of Uzbekistan. Criticisms do include the lack of English language explanations of the exhibited arts.
Address/Location: Exactly 600 meters south-west of Kosmonauts Metro Station and the Kosmonauts monument. Hidden away in a block of urban housing at No. 15 Rakatboshi Street (Rakatboshi Kochasi).
Opning Hours: 9 AM to 9 PM, with its box office closing at 5 PM.
- Astronomy Museum:
Not to be confused with the Tashkent Planetarium, The museum of Astronomy in Tashkent is relatively new museum, established in 2009 in conjunction with the International Year of Astronomy, announced by the UN in 2009, and also the 615th anniversary of the life and inventions of famous Uzbek scientist, Ruler (Sultan) and National Hero Mirzo Ulugbek.
The UNESCO sponsored museum essentially highlights the great history of Uzbekistan in relation to astronomy and later the exploration of space. Centerpiece is a model of the great sextant built by Ulugbeg in order to accurately observe the stars (the original being built in Samarkand during the Rule of Ulugbek). As a scientific exhibition, the museum further includes dozens of unique tools of astronomy used in medieval and late times. These items include Short’s telescope and Hadley’s marine octant created on the basis of Isaac Newton’s drawings, a German telescope of 18th century, a French telescope of late 19th century, celestial globe of Muhammad Sharif Bukhari of 19th century.
Especially treasured items on display are the medals of the Pacific Astronomical Society and the Academy of Sciences awarded to Tashkent’s scientist Stephen Kozik for the discovery of two comets in 1936 and 1939.
Adres / Location: 33 Astronomicheskaya Street.
Opening Hours: Tu-Su 10:00 AM - 17:00 PM. Closed on monday.
- Tashkent Planetarium:
Established 7 November 2003, Tashkent Planetarium demonstrates the starry sky and the planets of the solar system. There are two main exhibition halls. Its main show room has but a modest size and can seat some 50 to 60 people. Special attention is paid to Comets, the observation of which is an ancient Uzbek tradition. Modern highlights of astronomy and cosmology are included. Tip: according to traveling visitors, the museum has a truly inspirational 3D video (also available in English) which covers the human history of astronomy and the works of geniuses starting from Copernicus up to the victories of Hubble.
Adres / Location: No.6. Zarqaynar Street. North of Chorsu Market.
Is considered the oldest museum in Uzbekistan today. Is the natural history museum of Uzbekistan which features the history of (primitive) humanity as well as the flora and fauna found in Central Asia along the silk roads.
The first and original Museum of Natural History in Tashkent was established some 11 years after the Russian (military) take over of Tashkent by Russian scientists on July 12, 1876, as the Tashkent Museum. During its history, the museum closed and re-opened several times.
In 1919, it opened as Turkestan National Museum. Two years later, in 1921, it became The State Museum of Nature of Uzbekistan. In 1930, the museum joined with the agricultural museum and became the "Central Asian Museum of Nature and Building Power" and again five years later already, the museum took its current name. In 1937, the museum opened a classroom for students to receive lectures on Uzbekistan Nature.
For its contribution to the development of Uzbekistan in the academic sphere, the museum received many government awards. In 1967, the museum was awarded "Uzbekistan's Best Museum". In 2006, the museum celebrated its 130-year anniversary and was able to move to the new facility which now houses the museum.
Be ready for an old school academic style scientific experience with plenty of jars and specimens. According to the Museum, its richest collection of the museum displays about 400 thousand items including insects (about 300 thousand); dried leaves (about 11 thousand), and the unique materials of zoology and geology well known all over the world. The stony remnants of mammoths, the breadboard of the ancient human’s site, embryo in the special glass containers, and a lot of items connected with the wild life and nature of the country.
Address / Location: No.1 First Little Ring Road.
Opening Hours: Tuesday through Sunday: 10:00 AM - 17:00 PM. Closed on monday.
- Geology Museum:
Is the local Geology Museum of Tashkent, covering some 75 years of geological explorations in Uzbekistan as well as other topics such as archeology and anthropology.
The Museum was first established in 1988, with the aim of educating the public and Uzbek youth. Since April 2011 is housed in this new and larger home at Shevchenko Street. Interestingly, only about half of the collection of the museum is open to the public. Ostensibly, some older specimens are too fragile to meet a mass public, but other reasons have been rumored.
Delve into the geology and geological treasures of Uzbekistan and discover some of its archeological and anthropological history. The museum opened 12 halls in total, which altogether present 9 topics: mineralogy, geology, history of Uzbekistan, paleontology, ancient mining, geological studies of the Kitab Reserve and others.
No. 11 Shevchenko Street (Shevchenko Kochasi), in the Mirabad district.
Opening Hours: weekdays from 9 AM to 5 PM. Not on Saturday and Sunday.
- State Museum of the History of Uzbekistan:
First established in 1879, but in the current day housed in a modern building with a white exterior. Is the National Museum explaining the full history of Uzbekistan as viewed by the current day Uzbek State. The large Soviet Era building has four floors with exhibition halls In addition, there is a gift shop in the basement of the Museum.
The ground floor generally holds contemporary exhibitions, varying in subject and origins. The rest of the Museum is dedicated to the history of Uzbekistan, starting on the second floor with the most primitive man and going up to the Timurid Era in Uzbek History (14th Century AD).
The third floor is occupied with exponents of the period of three Khanates of Uzbekistan history when its territory was divided between three biggest feudal states: Khiva, Kokand and Bukhara Emirate.
The top floor then, deals with the modern history of Uzbekistan in the 19th Century, during the Soviet Era, and later as an Independent State after the demise of the Soviet Union. This floor features lots of old photographs and a rather propagandistic exhibition on the achievements of an independent Uzbekistan led by deceased President Islam Karimov, which echoing the Soviet Era, mainly explains the great progress made in agriculture, industry, politics, sports and education.
The museum fund lists over 250,000 exhibits, including over 60,000 archeological, over 80,000 numismatic and 16,000 ethnographical items reflecting Uzbek history from the primitive times up to the present. The collection includes quite a few extraordinarily rare coins from centuries long gone.
The State Museum of Uzbekistan is a location popular with tourist visiting Tashkent and generally begets very good ratings. Foreign visitors however complain about a lack of English translated text at this museum. In addition, as is apparently not uncommon in Uzbekistan, a considerable additional fee is asked for the right to take photos at the museum. Depressingly, even taking photos of the outside of the building is restricted since it stands adjacent a military building, which is considered a possible target for terrorist attack.
Address / Location: No. 3 Buyuk Turon Street.
Opening Hours: Daily 10 AM to 5 PM. Not on Monday.
- Miniature Art(s) Museum (Memorial Park and Museum of Kamoliddin Bekhzad):
The purpose of the Memorial Park and Museum of Kamoliddin Behzad (Museum of Miniature Art) is to introduce to the incomparable artistic heritage of the great Persian artist Kamoliddin Bekhzad (Life: 1455 AD - 1535 AD) and popularize the art of miniature painting, a Sufi Islamic painting tradition followed after in Central Asia for over 500 years. The history of the art of miniature painting historically originates around the city of Tabriz (today in Iranian Azerbaidjan) following the establishment of Mongol Rule in those parts. In the following centuries the tradition was followed and perpetuated in Shiraz, Kazvin, Meshed and Isfahan in Iran and also around Herat in current day Afghanistan. Current day experts distinguish a separate Tabriz-, Shriza- and Herat School of miniature painting, examples of which may be viewed at length in the museum.
Address / Location: Kamoliddin Bekhzad Museum Park, Sharof Rashidov Street (Sharof Rashidov Kochasi), Tashkent.
- Museum of Olympic Glory:
This Museum is officially dedicated to the Olympic Movement and serves to commemorate the achievements of Uzbek athletes in competitions and events held around the world, especially the Olympic Games. Interestingly, the museum was established by decree of the (deceased) President Islam Karimov and subsequently its grand opening on 1 September 1996 featured both part the President Karimov and the president of the International Olympic Committee Juan Antonio Samaranch. Although officially, the museum is dedicated to Olympic Glory, prominent space is kept for (largely symbolic and meaningless) awards received by the President of Uzbekistan I.A. Karimov (Life: 1938 - 2016) from foreign and international sports agencies and organizations. Among these are: Gold order from Olympic Council of Asia, gold order from the International Olympic Committee gold order from Association of national Olympic Committees, from the General Secretary of the International Federation of wrestling. Other items on exhibit are a collection of Uzbek sports memorabilia such as memorable cups of the first champions, silver, gold and bronze medals, cups of championships.
The museum has an interesting rounded architecture and is surrounded by a small park. For Olympic Games fans a must visit. Anyone not interested in sports or sports memorabilia; stay away.
Address / Location: South of the German Embassy, 4a - west side of Sharaf Rashidov Street (Sharaf Rashidov Kochasi), Yunusabad District of Central Tashkent.
- Museum (dedicated) to the Victims of Political Repression:
- Polytechnics Museum (Automobile Museum):
One of the latest museums to open in Tashkent (10 November 2015), the Polytechnics Museum is really the automobile and history Museum in Tashkent, and is said to be one of the best such museums in all of Asia. Surprisingly, this museum also doubles as an interactive museum dealing with basic physics (for children and young adults). Set aside in a separate hall there is a practical physics lab that offers a lot of fun, and also learning on the side. Latest addition is kids land, which is just a place for the smallest ones to play.
The automobile museum itself has multiple floors and exhibitions.
The first floor and foremost exhibition deals with the history of the automobile in general, however with an accent on the local situation as appeared in Uzbekistan. A multitude of primitive cars, and shiny models from the great decades of the automobile in the 20th century are on display. Interesting parts of the collection are old soviet model cars, the first primitive soviet tractors and those sported by high ranking Uzbek officials in the past.
The secondary exhibition deals exclusively with Uzbekistan and the Uzbek car industry and features almost like an advertisement for the great uplifting of Uzbekistan as an independent Nation after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1989-1991. Apparently, car production in Uzbekistan only began as late as in 1994, when a deal was struck for the production of South Korean cars. By now GM (General Motors) also operates in Uzbekistan and the museum was opened with their support.
If you like cars and are not an native to a formerly Soviet Nation, by all means a great place to go have a look. You may run into some language barriers with the Uzbek and Russian in the science lab.
Address/Location: No. 13 Amir Temur Square. South of Amir Temur Square on the west side of Amir Temur Street.
Opening Hours: Every day 10 Am - 6 PM. Not on Monday when all museums are closed.
- Railway Museum (Tashkent Museum of Railway Techniques):
Opened in 1989 as part of the celebrations of 100 years of Railways in Tashkent (The first version of the Central Station was opened in 1898 after the Trans-Caspian Railway finally reached the city), the Tashkent Museum of Railway Techniques is the National Museum of Trains and the history of trains in Uzbekistan. Its is widely hailed as the best train museum within Central Asia, and this is absolutely not a stretch. If you are a lover of trains, old or new, coal fired, diesel or electric - you will be able to have a nice time exploring this museum. As is often the case with Train Musea, a large part of the museum is actually outdoors and open air. In fact, one of the fun features of the Tashkent Train museum is that its outdoor display are placed along a 1 kilometer long park, which one can walk - or alternatively, ply by miniature train. This certainly ads to the fun.
The museum features 13 steam engines in the historic section (steam engines), the oldest of which dates to 1914 (similar to the China (National) Railway Museum in Beijing). There are 18 diesel engines and a further 3 electric engines on display. In addition there are a variety of matching railway cars as well as a multitude of railway parafernelia. The "Tashkent Railway Museum" is most noted for its interesting blend of World War 2 time and "lend-lease" imported American built trains which contrast with later Soviet Built trains.
While browsing the collection visitors are broadly introduced to the history of trains and railways in Uzbekistan. Much of the early work deals with the subject of the Trans-Caspian railway, and the connection between Tashkent and Orenburg which served to connect the trajectory of the trans-Siberian Railway with that of the Caspian railways. Other parts deal with more recent Uzbek train history and technologies used for transfering various cargoes and of course passengers.
The Railway Museum is however exactly that; there is no information available on the electric tram system which plied the city until recently, nor the Tashkent Metro System.
Altogether easy to find and visit. Among the top- and most amusing museums to visit in Tashkent.
Address/Location: On the same street as the Tashkent Central Train Station, but on the opposite north side all the way on the eastern end. No. 6 Turkestan Street.
Opening Hours: 09:00–13:00, 14:00–18:00. Mind you, there is a one hour lunch break (at the box office).
- Tashkent Tram Museum:
Address/Location: No.4 Privokzalnaya Street (Not listed on Google Map).
- Museum of Cinematography of Uzbekistan (Uzbekistan Film Museum):
Carries forth the Uzbek tradition of film and documentary making as first started by the legendary 18Th century Uzbek filmer Hudoybergan Devaney.
- Fine Arts Museum / State Museum of Arts:
Is the first and foremost Arts Museum in Tashkent and Uzbekistan as a Nation, exhibiting the history of 1500 years of Uzbek Art right up to the present day.
Generally speaking the museum gets high ratings from visiting travelers. Particularly, its wide historic scope and the abundance of high quality works impresses. As for art in Uzbekistan, most will agree that this is the first address to visit. A a history of art may sounds stuffy to some, due to the variety of mixing cultures throughout time, this art museum is not
- House Museum of the artist Ural Tansikbaeva (Ural Tansykbaev ; Russian: Урал Тансыкбаевич Тансыкбаев; also spelled Ural Tansiqbaev; O'rol Tansiqboev; Oral Tansykbayev; Tansikbaev):
Is the museum of the former residence of world renowned Uzbek artist and Tashkent native Ural Tansykbaev (Life: 1904 - 1974), and the place where he lived in the years 1967 to his death 1974.
Ural Tansykbaev is remembered as a People's Artist, Member of the Academy of Art and later the Chairman of the Union of Artists of Uzbekistan (1956-1959).
Born in Tashkent he lived his early life in modesty as a worker. After finishing the seven-year school I went to work at a local factory. However, at the age of about twenty years he began to draw. Showing great imagination and flare, using amazing colors his work was quickly noticed among his fellows. Hence, the first paintings produced by Ural Tansykbaev were shown in the club of the factory where he worked.
In 1924 his art took a further step as the newspaper "Turkestanskaya Pravda" published a note "about the artist-worker Ural Tansykbaev". He was then chosen to study further as an artist.
His first teacher in the studio at the Tashkent Museum of Art (1923-1927) was NV Rozanov. Painting skill, mastering the impressionistic vision of young Tansykbaev reflected in his work "Portrait of an Uzbek" (1927, Museum of the East, Moscow).
In the years 1928-1929 Ural Tansykbaev studied at the Penza Art College from IS Goryushkin-Sorokopudov. After visiting Moscow in 1929, the artist got acquainted with museums, saw modern Western European paintings, which made him a strong impression. It is said that as a result, his art was taken in new directions, leading to intense creative searches and eventually a strong and independent style of art.
Tansykbaev, being the first artist of indigenous Uzbek nationality, actively involved in European culture, mastered the manner of the European avant-garde, formed into a bright personality with a special world view. The phenomenon of Ural Tansykbaev's skill is understood in the artistic context of the era when he lived and worked. In those years, modern Uzbek art of painting was in the stage of formation, and he became his first swallow. Ural Tansykbaev recreated modern Uzbek art.
A special role in these processes was played by well-known artists P. Benkov, A. Volkov, M. Kurzin, N. Kashina, A. Nikolaev, B. Ufimtsev, who defined their creativity as a high level of development of the national school.
In 1934, after exhibitions of works of art in Uzbekistan in Moscow and Philadelphia, Ural Tansykbaev was popularly hailed as "the lead Uzbek colorists". Over time, his work more strongly manifested the call of a landscape painter of a realistic direction, embodied in his works the idea of harmony between man and nature. Art historians note that Ural Tansykbaev, thanks to his creative search, radically renewed the Uzbek landscape painting, going beyond the open-air etude, he created a landscape - a picture.
The museum was first founded and directed by his wife Elizaveta Yakovlevna, after his death. In 1994 a two storey pavilion was built adjacent to serve as an extension to the museum.
This is the Museum of the former house and residence of Yunus Rajabi, in Uzbekistan and Central Asia know as a legendary composer of Uzbek music and leader of the Band "Ensemble of National Instruments", which was put together in 1927 with support of Radio Tashkent, on which their music was regularly aired. Yunus Rajabi also taught music and wrote several Musical Dramas.
According to his obituary and biography "Yunus Rajabiy considered the study of the art of Shashmaqam, which at that time existed only in Bukhara and Samarqand, one of the main goals in his life" and it must be noted that through his life and works he was instrumental in the survival and revival in this otherwise nearly lost art, which suffered considerably, being rated as outdated and feudalistic during the long Soviet Era.
Today, Shashmaqam survives as a Central Asian musical genre mostly typical of Uzbekistan and due to political repression in the Soviet Era to a lesser degree of Tajikistan. Considered among the traditional Uzbek arts, the musical genre of Shashmaqam is said to have developed in the 15th century in the silk road city of Bukhara, from which eventually its practice spread across wider regions. Shashmaqam means the six Maqams (modes) in the Persian language, dastgah being the name for Persian modes, and maqams being the name for modes more generally. This was an important musical being favored by the Uzbek Courts (Khanate). It is a refined sort of music, closely associated with the Sufi Branch of the Islamic Religion, since it traditionally makes use of lyrics which have been derived from Sufi poems about divine love (Love for the Divine being the main theme of Sufism), although in the west the musical style of Shashmaqam has mainly been propgated by Bukharian Jews moving to the United States of America. The instruments of shashmaqam provide an austere accompaniment to the voices. They consist, at most concerts, of a pair of long-necked lutes, the dayra, or frame drum, which, with its jingles, is very much like a tambourine, and the sato, or bowed tanbour, which vaguely resembles a bass fiddle. (Read more in: "History of Tashkent").
Opened in 1997 as Museu, the two storey house museum is entirely dedicated to the legacy of Yunus Rajabi and to Uzbek Music and its instruments in general. If you are at all interested in Uzbek Culture, or love music, this is the best place in Tashkent to go, except for perhaps one of the theatre stage shows in the city. The house has several rooms which feature Uzbek instruments and explanations of Uzbek music, and a variety of old photos of Yunus Rajabi, his wife and band. According to visitors who have gone before, the house is still inhabited and the museum curated by the son of Yunus Rajabi, Hasan Rajabi, himself a gifted musician. If you are lucky and have the right timing, a visit to the museum might include a musical show. Some knowledge of musical instruments and Uzbek tradition may help appreciate the museum more.
Address/Location: Just a short walk west of Kosmonauts Metro Station. No.16 Rakatboshi Street (Rakatboshi Kochasi).
- Museum of Health (Museum of the History of Medicine)(Toshkent Sog'liqni Saqlash Muzeyi):
Is one of the most peculiar museums in Tashkent. Established in 1973, the Museum of Health Care of Uzbekistan can be best seen as a public educational facility through which the Uzbek Government hopes to enhance health awareness among Uzbek citizens. Another such establishment is the Museum of Olympic Glory, since health and sports go hand in hand and are also -at least officially- counted as among the Uzbek traditions. A left over from the sports culture of the Soviet Era this culture of health and sports is still perpetuated in the modern and independent state of Uzbekistan. As Wikipedia states it; Uzbek government pays big attention to the health of the citizens and the museum plays big role in the health care of Uzbekistan. “The Museum of Health Care of Uzbekistan” was established in order to contribute right information about the medicine and hygiene among the Uzbek people in interesting way.
In less political terms, this is the museum where anyone can come to learn about the functions of the human body as according to modern science. In narrower terms it can also be perceived as just the museum of the history of medicine, among things presented through a rich collection of medical tools - from primitive to ultra-modern. It is a museum of human biology and a public educational facility which explains various aspects of human biology such as conception, pregnancy and child birth, unhealthy practices and their effects (history of medicine and hygiene section), disease meachanisms and also just the general physiology of humans and sports.
Intresting aspects of the museum also include its walls which are decorated in east style of Middle Ages, and there is monument for the “Abu Ali Ibn Sina”, a historical figure who is considered one of the greatest medical experts in historic Uzbekistan.
Address/Location: No. 30, Istiqlol Street. South East of Amir Timur Square at quite the walking distance.
- Defense Museum:
There is virtually no information available on this museum from which may be gathered that it is not a museum popular with mainstream tourists visiting Tashkent.
Address/Location: Exactly 5 kilometers northwest of Amir Temur Square, thus not in the city center. No. 98 Mirzo Ulugbeg Street.
that boring at all, offering something to touch the heart anyone. If all this was not enough, there is also a section of modern Uzbek arts.
According to world renowned travel guide Lonely Planet: "The four floors of this excellent museum walk you through 1500 years of art in Uzbekistan, from 7th-century Buddhist relics from Kuva and the Greek-inspired head of Hercules from Khalchayan near Termiz, to the art of Soviet Uzbekistan. There are even a few 19th-century paintings of second-tier Russian and European artists hanging about. There’s an impressive section on Uzbek applied art – notably some lovely ghanch (plaster carvings) from Bukhara, carved wooden doors from Khiva (in the Xorasm Region of Uzbekistan) and the silk-on-cotton embroidered hangings called suzani". The four departments of the museum are named: "National Applied Arts of Uzbekistan", "Art of the Foreign East countries" such as China, Japan and Korea, "Art of Russia and countries of Western Europe" and lastly "Fine arts of Uzbekistan".
Address/Location: Due south of Amir Temur Square, Get there from Amir Temur by following Amir Temur Street to the end. No. 16 Shahrisabz Street (Sharisabz Kochasi).
- Aibek Memorial House Museum (The house-Museum of Aibek Musa Tashmukhamedova):
The house-Museum of Aibek Musa Tashmukhamedova is dedicated to the classics of Uzbek literature, as translated into history through the life and works of Musa Tashmukhamedova (Life: January 10, 1905 - July 1, 1968), who is considered to have been a great poet and prose writer, scientist and philosopher, as well as respected translator and during his life time was the recipient of many awards. His pseudonym as a writer was Oybek (translated in the west as Aibek) which is also the name by which this writer is still popularly identified as is demonstrated by the name of the Metro Station named after him, the Oybek Metro Station in Tashkent.
The Museum dedidated to Musa Tashmukhamedova and his great products of modern Uzbek literature is located in the historic district of Tashkent, in the house, where for the last 28 years of his life he lived with his family and worked Aibek Musa Tashmuhamedova.
This one-storey house built in the 40-ies of the last century, today has literary Museum dedicated to the Uzbek classic works of Literature as mainly reflected in the works of Musa Tashkmukhamedova. The exhibitions are divided over five separate halls.
The memorial part of the Museum is situated in the six rooms of the fairly large two-storey building where the succesful writer lived since the 1940s and which was expanded considerably in 1958. The memorial section is the result of the first project of the founding of the Museum by the wife and widow of the ceased writer and poet, after his death. In addition to the memorial section, the museum also has its own research library, where publication of the works of Aibek Musa Tashmukhamedova, books about his life and work, as well as books collected by him during his life, including rare publications: manuscripts of the classics of the literature of the East are available for academics interest in these particular subjects. The Museum thus claims to be an extensive research base for scientists, philologists, students and the local University in general. Notably, the walls of the research library halls are decorated with paintings of famous artists, as well as illustrations for the works of the classics.
Altogether an interesting museum for those who are already familiar with some of the history of Uzbek literature and poetry. For others, difficult to understand and fathom, especially due to the language barriers and lack of english language explanations at the mseum.
Address/ Location: The house where the family lived since the 1940s.
- Abdulla Kahhar Museum:
Address/Location: No.26 Navruz Street.
- House Museum of Mukhtar Ashrafi:
Is the former residence of the famous Soviet (U.S.S.R.) musical composer of Uzbek origins Mukhtar Ashrafi (Russian: Мухтар Ашрафович Ашрафи, Uzbek: Muxtor Ashrafiy)(life: 11 June [O.S. 29 May] 1912 in Bukhara - 15 December 1975 in Tashkent), who lived most of his life in the Uzbek Capital of Tashkent and is considered a founding father of modern Uzbek music.
Although, far less known in the non-former-Soviet States, Mukhtar Ashrafi is considered a National hero of Uzbekistan, having received the prestigious Stalin Prize twice (for his orchestral musical compositions) and having been granted the highly honorable title of People's Artist of the U.S.S.R. (Russian: Наро́дный арти́ст СССР, Narodný artist SSSR)(In Uzbek: Ўзбекистон ССР халқ артисти) in 1951. Ashrafi is duly remembered for writing four essential operas, four ballets and a number of orchestral works, as well as founding the National Opera (Theatre) of Uzbekistan (in Tashkent). Having been a recipient of the Stalin Prize, Mukhtar Ashrafi was a National Celebrity, most famous during the 1940s and 50s, however fading after the death of Joseph Stalin in 1953 and the subseuqnt deStalinification.
Although one may have expected otherwise, the house museum is situated in the original apartment where Mukhtar Ashrafi resided, which is part of a Soviet Era flat block in the suburbs of Tashkent. The great composer lived in this apartment iin the period between 1965 and 1975 when he created four of his most famous musical pieces (Rodivshisya v grozu (1965), Tayna peshchery Kaniyuta (1968), Semurg (1972), Voskhod nad Gangom (1975). With the housing of the museum thus being rather modest, it an interesting place to visit, brimming with history of the musical side of the Soviet Era. All rooms of the apartment are in use for the exhibitions, which serve as a wide ranging from a memorial to the creativeness of the artist. Special attention is given to the highlights of Mukthar Ashrafi's musical career, which started with grand successes in propaganda music during the bitter year of world war 2 (in the Soviet Union known as the Great Patriotic War), and thereafter blossomed into large musical plays and refined ballet.
In addition to the general exhibitions, the museum also holds all personal files of the artists covering the period between the early 1940s and his death in 1975.
Address/Location: In the Mirzo-Ulugbek District. Situated in block of flats BUYUK IPAK YO'LI (Block C-1) No. 15/25. The block lies along Shastri Street (Shastri Kochasi) and south off Mustaqlik Avenue (Mustaqlik Shoh Kochasi).
- Gafur Gulyam museum (1903 - 1966):
Opened in 1983, this is the Museum dedicated to the Uzbek and Tashkent native Gʻafur Gʻulom (or Gafur Gulom ; Russified form Gafur Gulyam) (Uzbek: Gʻafur Gʻulom, Ғафур Ғулом), who became a famous story writer, poet and translator in the first half of the 20th century. Considered as high ranking among the most influential Uzbek writers in modern history. A street, a publishing house and a Metro Station in Tashkent are named after Gafur Gulyam. Gafur Gulyam recreational park (amusement Park) in Tashkent is also named after this writer. The Gafur Gulyam amusement park holds a bronze near life size statue of the author.
The museum was perviously situated in the two-storeу house where Gafur Gulyam lived for 22 years, between 1944 and 1966. It has a collection of literary relics and serves as a memorial complex to the artist / author and his legacy. Recently, the museum has been moved in and joined with the Uzbek Theatre for Musical Drama and Comedy.
Address/Location: Inside the Theatre of Musical Drama and Comedy. No.1 Arpapaya Street.
- Mukarrama Turgunbayeva Museum:
Address/Location: Inside the Bakhor Concert Hall. Theatre address is No. 5 Paradlar Alley, Independence Square. Phone: 2364610
- Yuldash Akhunbabeav Museum:
Address/Location: No.19 Ordjonikidze Street.
- Sergey Borodin House Museum:
- Sergei Yesenin Museum:
Is the house museum dedicated to Russian lyrical poet Sergei Yesenin (Russian: Серге́й Алекса́ндрович Есе́нин)(Life: 1895 - 1925 - death by suicide) at the location where he once stayed for a month in 1921. Having started his poetry at age 15 and having his first work published at age 19 (in 1914) Sergei Yesenin went on to become a dramatical personality, an inspiration to many - who however had lots of personal problems. Through a short life of 4 marriages, poetical genius and a taste for the correct political currents of his time, he would become one of the most well-known Russian poets of the 20th century. His life dedicated to poetry and friendship and communications with other poets of his time, a reputation as a peasant poet made him widely read. In 1915 Sergei Yesenin co-founded a group of poets in Petrograd, through which he had a truly meteoric rise to fame and glory. Soon he found himself accepted among the literary elite in the secondary Capital Saint Petersburg. However early in the next year he was drafted as a foot soldier in World War I. Passing his life in relative safety guarding a Royal Family Residence outside of Saint Petersburg, he found himself the chance to recite his poems for Tzarina (Empress) Alexandra Fyodorovna. Throughout the subsequent Russian Revolution and the emergence of a Bolshewik (communist) Government, Sergei Yesenin declared himself to be a revolutionary, or at least a product of its workings, he subsequently rode its considerable waves to the top of the newly arising states literary circles. Not only did he found his own publishing house, he subsequently again helped found a group of poets who thereafter arose with a new style which evolved into the literary movement of imaginism (a poetic movement withing the larger Russian Avantgarde stye which emerged from the 1917 Russian Revolution). Publishing and writing productively in 1918, 1919 and 1920, Yesenin, after a third divorce traveled in the southern Provinces of Russia, journeys which inspired him but also landed him in political trouble with the increasingly repressive authorities. The Tashkent "visit" of Sergei Yesenin was part of his wider travels in 1921, under the watchful eye of the NKVD, who had come to identify him as a political voice, not regularly in line with general Communist Party thought.
Interestingly, around the same time Sergei Yesenin met and married dancer Isabella Duncan, a woman who later would also become part of the history of Tashkent. As one may read in "History of Tashkent", in a memorable period, in 1924, Isabella Duncan was able to perform publically in Tashkent (an American woman without a veil, as was obligatory custom among devoutly religious Uzbeks) which then led up to the first veilless performance by native Uzbek Dancer Tamara Khanum, the 1919 Paris World Fair award winner.
Over the next four years, through his explicitly public speaking out on political matters, Sergei Yesenin suffered increasing friction with the evolving Communist Revolutionary Government, including several arrests and interrogations involving beatings and torture, ultimately leading him to declare to poetic movement of imaginism, which had been inspired by optimism of the new age dawning, as dead.
Having lived a turbulent life in all aspects, including bouts of anger, alcoholism and womenizing, he died in 1925 in a hotel in Saint Petersburg, either by suicide or possibly, having been murdered by the NKVD, the Soviet Secret Service. Having been a hero in poetical circles, his way of death, by suicide or high level Government muder plot added to the glory of his career made him an immortal among the lovers of poetical drama in Russia and the Russian Empire. Today, his lyrical poems as well as has personal legacy continue to draw readers to his poetry and story.
The house museum to Sergei Yesenin in Tashkent is not really a house museum, since in case the poet merely stayed there and did not live there for any lengthy period of time. The timing of his visit however, was incredibly fortunate. The Sergei Yesenin museum in Tashkent opened in 1999. The current exhibition, contains 3,000 manuscripts, photographs and autographs realted to the career and life of Sergei Yesenin, along with furniture typical of a Tashkent home in the 1920s. The museum continues to carry forth the tradition of lyrical poetry and often hosts poetry recitals. Free guided tours are available but only in Russian language.
Address/Location: North of Mustaqillik Avenue In a blind alley, No. 20 Kari Niyazov Street/ Tolstoy.
- Navoi Literature Museum (Alisher Navoi State Museum of Literature):
