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Tashkent
Tashkent,
the capital of Uzbekistan, has been
given a new, but unofficial name
in modern history – the Star
of the East. This 2000-year old
city has been mentioned in the Avesta,
one of the most ancient manuscripts
dating back to the 5th century BC.
Archeologists believe, from their
latest findings, that Tashkent’s
history dates back to more than
25 centuries. Tashkent
, since ancient times, was a major
center in Central Asia, connecting
East and West, North and South,
serving as one of the major centers
on the Great Silk Road.
Shach, as it was then called, was
famous both in the East and the
West, for its scholars, architectsand
poets. Tashkent has survived many
triumphs and tragedies over the
years. The silent witnesses of our
ancient past are the historic monuments
that have been preserved to this
day. Unfortunately, the 12 gates
that were used to let people and
caravans enter this ancient city,
have not survived.
Rebuilt after the 1966 earthquake
as the very model of a modern Soviet
city, Tashkent comprises concrete
apartment blocks decorated with
Uzbek motifs and illuminated slogans,
yawning parade grounds around solemn
monuments. Hectares of parkland
and a remarkably comprehensive public
transport system. There is also
the other, older city, a sprawling
Uzbek country town with fruit trees
and vines in every courtyard hidden
behind secure walls.
The Uzbek capital also operates
as a scientific center. Present
the Academy of Sciences, the Art
Academy, the Academy of Armed Forces,
the University of World Economy
and Diplomacy, the University of
World Languages, the National Institute,
the Institute of Law and the Islamic
University are located in Tashkent.
The six universities and numerous
institutes in Tashkent educate more
than 90 000 young people from all
the provinces of Uzbekistan and
further afield.  There
is a series of special sight-seeing
tours where guests can see and experience
the harmonic combination of modern
architecture with historical monuments.
Examples are the Kukeldash madrassah
on Chorsu square built in the 16th
century, the Kaffal Shashi mausoleum
also from the 16th century, Kukeldsash
madrassah and the others.
As was the case long ago, so it
is today - we continue to say our
guests and friends as we did centuries
ago: "Hush kelibsiz",
welcome on Tashkent's hospitable
soil!
Places
of interest in Tashkent:
• Museum of History.
The museum has the most
interesting exposition of all periods
of Uzbek history which gives an
overview of Uzbek culture and people.
One highlight in the museum is a
small, peaceful Buddha figure from
a Kushan temple.
• Kukeldash madrassah. This
grand 16th century madrassah on
a hill has a domed courtyard at
the rear which has been under restoration
for years. On warm Friday mornings
the plaza in front overflows with
worshippers.
• Chorsu Bazaar.
It is open every day, but on Saturday
and Sunday morning this huge open
market beside Kukeldash is a great
place to find crowds of people from
the surrounding countryside (many
in traditional dress) along with
fresh produce, prepared food, tea,
traditional Uzbek clothes, carpets,
tea sets and household items. Tashkent
has at least 16 such farmers' markets.
• Khast Imam. This
is one name for the plain square
which is the official religious
center of the republic. On the south-west
corner the 16th century Barak Khan
madrassah houses the Central Asian
Muslim Religious Board, whose Grand
Mufti is roughly the Islamic equivalent
of an archbishop for Uzbekistan.
• Museum of Applied Arts -
a wealthy Tsarist Diplomat, originally
commissioned this house to be built
for him in traditional style by
artisans from different cities,
but he was transferred before it
was finished. Full of bright carved
plaster decorations (ghanch) and
carved wood, the house itself is
the main attraction, though there
are also exhibits of rare ceramics,
textiles, jewellery, musical instruments
and toys.
• The Amir Timur museum -
Tashkent's newest museum stands
just north of the rehabilitated
national icon's statue. It has quite
an impressive structure with a brilliant
blue ribbed dome and a richly decorated
interior.
• Alisher Navoi Opera &
Ballet Theatre. By 1940,
Soviet planners had decided a theatre
would greatly enhance an area known
as the Drunken Bazaar for its wine-soaked
market. Japanese prisoners of war
completed construction in 1947.
The program changes daily, from
Uzbek symphony to Russian opera.
• Tashkent Metro -
construction began in 1972 and five
years later the first train rolled.
Some people say, that Tashkent metro
has one of the beautiful metro stations.
There are three lines acting and
taking pictures is strictly forbidden.
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