Tashkent

Also known as Hazrat Imam Square, it is a religious center of Tashkent, located in the old part of the city, within the neighborhoods with the old wattle and daub houses that were unfortunately damaged in the 1966 earthquake. This complex appeared next to the tomb of one of the first imams of the city of Tashkent, the famous scientist, scholar of the Quran and Hadith, poet and craftsman Hazrati Imam.On the territory of Hazrat-Imam there are some architectural monuments, including the Brak-Khan Madrasa, the Tillia Sheikh Mosque, the mausoleum of the saint Abu Bakr Kaffal Shashi, and the Islamic Institute of al-Bukhari, where future preachers learn. Also located there is the Central Asian Muslim Spiritual Council, headed by the Mufti.The complex also has a library that houses a large number of oriental manuscripts, including the world-famous Quran of Caliph Uthman – Ottoman.

The Barak Khan Madrasa was built in the 16th century by Suyunidzh-Khan, one of the grandsons of the famous astronomer Ulugbek. The site became the seat of the Spiritual Administration of the Muslims of Central Asia and is also home to a large library of oriental manuscripts. A notable feature of the Barak Khan Madrasa library is that it housed the world-famous Quran of Caliph Osman, the primary source of Islam's holy book written in the mid-7th century. This monumental manuscript, consisting of 7 pages of parchment, has traveled through time and empires, safeguarded in the treasuries of the caliphs of Medina, Damascus, and Baghdad, before arriving in Uzbekistan.The madrasa building is built of brick and crowned by three blue domes. The cell doors and the entrance door to the Barak Khan Madrasa are inlaid with ivory and non-ferrous metals.The Barak Khan Madrasa also includes two mausoleums, both of which were built before the construction of the madrasa began.

The Tilla Sheikh Mosque in Tashkent used to be the main Friday mosque in the city. It was built in 1857 by order of one of the richest merchants and a devout Muslim. Translated from the Uzbek language, the name of the mosque means "Golden Sheikh's Mosque." To this day, it is one of the largest mosques in Tashkent.The building is rectangular in shape and framed by two minarets. In addition to their main function, the minarets served as beacons for merchant caravans passing through Tashkent. The minaret can be reached by a spiral staircase, and imams usually call the faithful to prayer from them. The domes crowning the minarets are covered with blue enamel, and the walls of the mosque are covered with mosaics.The main hall of the mosque is the so-called winter hall. It is covered in carpets and is only accessible barefoot. In the center of the mosque is a carved wooden pulpit from which the imam reads the prayers. Next to the pulpit is a mihrab, an oriental-style niche that indicates the direction of Mecca. During prayer, worshipers face the mihrab. The mosque's ceilings are beautifully painted, and the windows are decorated with latticework made of a mixture of plaster and clay. Photography is not permitted inside this religious building.The mosque has a courtyard, a book depository, and outbuildings. Trees and benches are in front of the building. During the summer, Muslims can pray in the courtyard, on an outdoor veranda.

This is an oriental market that has been around for over a hundred years and has always been located in the main square of Eski-Khuva. The buildings of the old bazaars have been destroyed and deteriorated, but the traditional architecture remains intact, with its large domes, the only means of protection from the heat and dust of the dry, hot Asian climate.On the counters of this oriental bazaar, you will find fresh fruit, amber-colored dried fruit, toasted bread (lepeshka), fresh meat, kazy (horse meat sausages), and much more. Everything is so attractive that it's impossible to pass it by. Near the bazaar are the choykhonas, where you can taste amber-yellow pilaf, fragrant shahlyk (grilled meat), and hot shurpa (soup). Don't forget to stroll through the souvenir stalls, where masters of applied arts sell their handmade crafts.

Located in the Muyi Muborak Madrasa, it houses an exhibition of ancient books, including one of the copies of the Quran of Osman, a sacred relic that, according to Muslims, is the oldest in the world (7th century). It is a gigantic 250-page manuscript made of deerskin, where the verses of the Quran are recounted in Hejazi calligraphy, very similar to Kufic, with large black characters and no vocalization. The Prophet Muhammad transmitted the revelations orally, or at most, they were written on individual sheets. It was not until his death that Caliph Osman (Uthman Ibn Affan) decided to compile the prophet's teachings into a single book. It was the year 650 AD, and the sacred text of Islam had just been born. It is said that Osman made five copies, of which the only one still preserved seems to be this one from Tashkent. The book apparently remained in Iraq until Amir Timur brought it to Samarkand. Later, with the arrival of the Russians, it was sent to St. Petersburg, and finally, in 1924, it was returned to Uzbekistan, where it is on display today.

Located in the center of Tashkent, it is the site of major state events and parades during national holidays. It is not only one of Tashkent's main attractions but also a symbol of the city and a favorite spot for citizens to take leisurely strolls among the refreshing fountains and green paths.Independence Square covers an area of over 12 hectares. As you ascend the granite steps, framed by cascades of beautiful fountains reaching 7 meters in height, you reach the foot of a majestic colonnade. Sixteen white marble columns are connected by an elegant silver-colored metal arch. The colonnade is crowned by figures of storks, which symbolize peace and tranquility in the country.

One of Tashkent's unusual landmarks is the Romanov Residence, built in 1891 in the city center by architects A.L. Benois and V.S. Geyntseltsman. This is a one-story private residence built in the modern style (the style that was fashionable at the time). The elegant building was richly decorated with carved grilles, unusually shaped windows, turrets, and other decorative elements. The prince was a great fan of hunting, which is why the main entrance to the private residence was decorated with bronze figures of deer and hunting dogs. At the rear of the building was a large garden, designed by the famous Tashkent botanist and pharmacist I.I. Krause. Particular attention was paid to the interior design of the palace. The halls of the private residence were paneled with dark oak, decorated with carved cornices and gilded paintings. From the main hall, three doors led to the apartments of the prince and his wife. On the left side of the residence were a billiard room, a library, and a dining room, and on the right, a greenhouse and a Japanese garden. In one wing of the building, the Russian prince installed a menagerie for wild animals, and on Sundays, the small zoo was open to the public.