About this experience
Uzbekistan is often associated with the ornaments of Samarkand and Bukhara. But the image of the country is not only made up of traditional majolica and mosaics! If you have already seen the classic Uzbekistan, then it's time to get acquainted with the outstanding Soviet heritage of Tashkent. You will see striking buildings with national motifs, metro stations, and other objects of Soviet modernism.
What to expect
A brief history
In the 1970s, Tashkent became a place of bold architectural experiments. Some researchers even use a special term - 'Tashkent seismic modernism'. How did this happen? The turning point that turned Tashkent into one of the capitals of Soviet modernism was the earthquake of 1966, which almost completely destroyed the city. It was then decided to restore it by the efforts of architects from all over the USSR. Thus appeared an urban phenomenon that radically changed the appearance of Tashkent.
Our modernist route
- Panoramic Cinema. One of the first modernist buildings to appear in Tashkent even before the earthquake and survived it.
- Hotel 'Uzbekistan'. The most memorable element of the building is the patterned sun protection grille, known as 'pandjara', enlarged to a gigantic size. A prominent example of 'southern brutalism'.
- Palace of Friendship of Nations. The architectural form of the building resembles archaeological finds, which I will tell you about. You will also learn why this luxurious building was abandoned in Soviet times.
- Chorsu Market. One of the few monuments of Soviet modernism in the Old City. Its domes are built without a single support and faced with colored ceramics. Near the market, you will see another significant monument of modernism - the much-suffering building of the Chorsu Hotel.
- TV Tower. How was this giant tower built to a height of 375 meters in a seismically hazardous area? We will reveal the secret of the tower's construction.
- Lenin Museum, or Museum of the History of Uzbekistan. A simple, but monumental, almost square in plan, light building is well viewed from all sides. Thanks to the continuous glazing of the foyer, it seemed that the building was floating above the street.
- Union of Artists Exhibition Hall. You will appreciate how traditional elements of Eastern architecture are combined in modernist form.
- Experimental House 'Zhemchug’. You will learn why this house won an architectural competition, what its features are, and how people live in this experimental house.
- Circus. I will share how the Tashkent circus differs from all other Soviet circuses.
- Art Museum. Within the walls of this minimalist building is a rich collection of Prince Nikolai Konstantinovich Romanov's paintings, graphics, sculptures, and other art objects.
- Metro Stations. The Tashkent metro has 3 lines and 29 stations. Let's go underground to see the most notable interiors of the stations 'Uzbekiston', 'Chilanzare', 'Kosmonavtlar', 'Mustakillik Maydoni', and 'Alisher Navoi'.
Organizational details
- I will pick you up from a convenient location in Tashkent and bring you back after the tour
- The tour is conducted in a premium-class car Kia Sportage X-Line
- Upon request, the tour can be organized on minivans with a capacity of 7, 11, 15 people, on a minibus or bus. Details can be clarified in correspondence.
- For an additional fee, the tour can start in Samarkand and reach Tashkent by comfortable and premium-class cars
