Tashkent(‘a stone city’; also spelled Toshkent),Uzbekistan’scapital, is in all respects aCentral Asianregional hub; it is the fourth largestCIS citywith a population of around 3 million. Today it has all the features of a modernmetropolisand a capital, with a lot of attractive Central Asian-style newly-built structures and sites, as well asSoviet-erabuildings. Tashkent is rich in museums, theaters and concert halls; there are a lot of traditional Central Asian and European-like restaurants and clubs, and several very nice parks, including a zoo and a huge botanical garden. Tashkent is the only Central Asian city which has anunderground railway system(Tashkent Metro). It is probably one of the world’s most beautiful: its stations are real works of art, each featuring unique designs covering various themes, such as famous people, events, valued notions, terms or just common nouns. Tashkent is a city of wide streets and numerous avenues, and is abundant in trees; although it is located in Central Asia, it has recently had a lot of evergreens planted, in addition to its traditional planes, poplars, oaks, willows, etc. Tashkent looks modern - it grew to its present size mainly during the Soviet times - but it is over 2,000 years old, and there is still some of its old part surviving, calledOld CityorOld Town. Tashkent Old city features a huge traditional Central Asianbazaar(there are many large and small bazaars in the city; most farmer products in the city are sold through them, not through stores), as well as severalIslamic architectural monumentsand quaint adobe mahalla neighborhoods, quite worth visiting for their charm.
Khazrati Imam Architectural Complex
The architectural complex Khazrati Imam (also spelled Khazrati Imom, Khazrat Imam, Khast Imam, Hast Imam, Khast Imom, Hast Imom) is the top Tashkent historic site and Islamic center, consisting of Barak-Khan Madrasah (also spelled Baraq Khan), Tilla Sheikh Mosque (also spelled Tillya Sheikh), Muyi Muborak Madrasah, Kaffal Shashi Mausoleum (also spelled Kaffal Ash-Shashi, Qaffal Ash-Shashi), Namazgoh Mosque, as well as the new Khazrati Imam Mosque and the muftiate building (the Muslim Board of Uzbekistan or Spiritual Administration of the Muslims of Uzbekistan) built in 2007.
Kukeldash Madrasah
 | Kukeldash Madrasah is the largest madrasah and one of the most famous historical monuments of Tashkent. It is situated in the historical heart of the city, in the area of the Chorsu square and Registan of Tashkent. In the IX and X centuries there were Kesh gates here, one of the three city gates. The central architectural ensemble - Registan was in every big city. The buildings included in this ensemble are of refined architecture, monumentality, original idea and an unusual finish. Registan of Tashkent is not an exception; it is enough to look closely at Kukeldash Madrasah. |
Chorsu Bazaar, the Heart of Tashkent Old City
The old bazaar Eski Juva (‘old tower’), better known as Chorsu (‘four courses’; also spelled Chor-Su), is located in Tashkent Old City at a crossroads of four roads. It features an abundance of colorful and exotic merchandise, and, though thoroughly restored and renovated, the fascinating aura of old-time Asia and folklore all year round. It is one of the oldest Central Asian bazaars; it was known as far back as the Middle Ages as an important Silk Road destination. Just imagine yourself walking about this bazaar a few centuries ago - past merchants, packed camels, artisans, shops, shoppers. Today it is almost the same.