General information about Tashkent

History of Tashkent

Tashkent is one of the oldest cities on the Great Silk Road between China and Europe. The earliest references to Tashkent as a city settlement appeared in written sources in the 2nd century BC. In the Chinese annals the city is called Yueni or Shi; in the records of the Persian king, Shampur, it appears as Chach; and in other Arabic sources, Shash. The name Tashkent first appeared in Turkish documents of the 9th to 12th centuries.

From ancient times, a favourable geographical position and mild climate made Tashkent one of the main Silk Road cities. In the 14–15th centuries it was the part of the Timurid Empire, and in the 16th century it was under the control of the Sheibanids dynasty. In 1865, after the conquest of Mikhail Chernyaev, Russian military leader, the city became under the rule of the Russian Empire and Russian government was established here. In 1930 Tashkent was declared the capital of Uzbekistan, former Uzbek SSR.

Tashkent sights

Many of Tashkent’s tourist sights are concentrated in the Old City, which is one of the few districts that has preserved its traditional culture in the rapidly-changing metropolis. The spirit of old Tashkent lives here, in the cozy courtyards of the hospitable mahallahs, the bustling Chorsu Bazaar, and the blue domes of the Khast Imam complex. In this part of the city there are artisans, teahouses, and bakeries.

Other Tashkent sights worth visiting include the Tashkent TV Tower, the German Church, the Polish Church, Amir Temur Square with the famous Tashkent astronomical clock, Independence Square, and the former residence of Prince Romanov, which was designed by architects Benoit and Heinzelmann.

Tashkent also boasts the first metro system in Central Asia. The Tashkent metro is not only a fast, affordable, and comfortable way to move around the city, but also an architectural monument. Each of the 29 stations has an original design - such as the Cosmonauts station, designed in a space theme, to the Alisher Navoi station with its walls artfully decorated with stories and characters from the works of the poet.

The Zangiata Mausoleum, where one of the Muslim saints, Sheikh Ai-Khoja, and his wife, Ambar Bibi, are buried, is located 15 kilometres from Tashkent. This is one of the religious sites visited most frequently by residents of and visitors to Tashkent.

Tashkent museums

As Uzbekistan’s capital, Tashkent is also the country’s cultural centre. It boasts many interesting museums and exhibition halls with a variety of collections and expositions.

The exhibits of the State Museum of History trace Uzbekistan’s history from the early Paleolithic period to the present day. The Museum of Applied Art showcases an impressive collection of Uzbek carpets, ceramics, textiles, and other handicrafts. The State Museum of Art, the Amir Timur Museum, and the Tashkent Museum of Railway Equipment also offer interesting collections. In the Polytechnical Museum, visitors will find displays on automotive history, and many unusual interactive exhibits. Lovers of literature will be interested in the house-museums of Sergei Yesenin and Anna Akhmatova. 

Tashkent theatres

A highlight of Tashkent’s cultural life is the Ilkhom Theatre, which is known for experimental performances and its unusual interpretations of classical works. This theatre also hosts concerts, exhibitions of young artists, and festivals, the most famous of which is the Ilkhom Rock Fest. The State Academic Bolshoi Theatre named after Alisher Navoi, and the Academic Russian Drama Theatre, host more traditional productions of ballets, operas, and music. Tashkent, like many other Uzbek cities, also has a strong tradition of puppet shows. Performances are held at the Silk Road Marionettes Theatre and the Republican Puppet Theatre.