The Old City

The Old City is a conditional part of Tashkent, which begins from the right bank of the Ankhor. The history of the division of Tashkent into old and new cities begins in 1865, when the Kokand Khanate ceased to exist. Tashkent joined Russia, and at the same time it was decided to build a new city. The conditional point of division was the Ankhor River, on the right bank of which the old city is still located, and on the left – the new one. To date, the map of Tashkent shows the central-radial layout, which was designed during the construction of the new city.

The main purpose of tourists coming to Tashkent is to familiarize them with the ancient architecture of numerous monuments, which are located for the most part in the old city. One of these monuments is the Sheikhantakhur Ensemble, consisting of three mausoleums. Once here, the visitor seems to be transported from modern Tashkent to an ancient oasis, in the shade of the trees of which Alexander the Great, Sheikh Hovendi at-Tohur, the great Amir Temur and even Sergei Yesenin, who came for inspiration, once rested.

Going deep into the old city, you can get to the Mausoleum of Sheikh Zainiddin. This is one of the most ancient monuments of Sufism in Central Asia, located in Tashkent, in the old city, in the Kukca district. The architecture of the mausoleum is quite modest, but the history of the person in whose honor it was built and the secrets that surround the walls of the mausoleum and its outbuildings are quite impressive.

Also in the old city there is a beautiful Ensemble of Hazreti Imam, which harmoniously combines the religious buildings of the Middle Ages and modern Uzbekistan. The Hazreti Imam ensemble includes the mausoleum of Hazreti Imam, Muyi Muborak Madrasah, Barak Khan Madrasah, Namazgoh Mosque, Tilla Shaikh Cathedral Mosque, the Hazreti Imam Cathedral mosque built in 2007, and the building of the Spiritual Administration of Muslims throughout Uzbekistan.

The center of life of the old town is the Chorsu market, whose numerous blue domes can be seen from afar. Once at the market, you can feel the true atmosphere of the old city and Tashkent as a whole. At the very beginning of this market, on a hill there is one of the oldest and most majestic architectural monuments – the Kukeldash madrasah. 

In the streets of one of the mahallas of the old city, you can find Tashkent Venice, where the waters of the Kalkauz canal reach the foundations of houses.

Tashkent is rich in historical monuments and attractions, but most of them are located among the modern buildings of the city. But the history of each of them will not leave indifferent guests and residents of the capital.