Amir Timur Square, Tashkent (must see)
Situated in the very heart of Tashkent, Amir Temur Square (Uzbek: Amir Temur xiyoboni) is the main town square in the capital, equally popular with locals and tourists.
The square was built in 1882 by the Russian architects, Nikolai Ulyanov and Mikhail Chernyayev, on the site of a public park at the intersection of two main lanes, Moscow Street (now Amir Timur Street) and Kaufman Street (now Milza Ulugh Beg Street), and was initially called Konstantinovskaya Square.
It was not paved, getting all dusty in dry weather and muddy when it rained. In 1913, a multi-figure monument to the first Turkestan governor-general, Konstantin Kaufman, was erected here, upon which the square was renamed Kaufmansky.
After the 1917 Russian Revolution, the square was renamed once again, this time as Revolution Square; the Kaufman monument was dismantled, in 1919, but its granite pedestal remained. During the late 1940s, it was reused to accommodate the statue of Joseph Stalin, and was ultimately removed only in 1961, as part of the nationwide de-stalinization campaign. In 1968, a sculpture of Karl Marx was put in its place.
Before that, in the 1950s, the square underwent significant reconstruction. Owing to its convenient central location, it regularly drew attention of the people who wished to express their political views. Here, alongside frequent communist rallies, starting from the late 1960s, the Crimean Tatars, who were deported by Stalin to Uzbekistan in 1944, also demonstrated several times, without authorization, demanding to be allowed to return to Crimea. Throughout the 1980s, this place was a popular hangout with both 鈥済olden鈥� youth and small-time criminals, attracted by the nearby cafe-restaurant (open until late hours), several ice cream parlors, and the alleys lined with benches.
In 1994, three years into Uzbekistan's independence, the square was renamed Amir Timur. The Karl Marx monument was dismantled and a bronze equestrian statue to Tamerlane was installed. Simultaneously, all the drinking and entertainment establishments in the vicinity were liquidated in a bid to tackle crime, prostitution, and idle pastime.
In 2009, another round of comprehensive embellishment was carried out bringing in new walkways, benches and modernized lighting, as well as well chopping down some of the old trees. Their place was taken by the newly-planted sakuras, chestnut and other trees. The effort proved worthy, as, beginning from the 2010s, the area has once again become regularly crowded with townsfolk, prompting the authorities to reopen the previously closed eateries and souvenir shops.
The square was built in 1882 by the Russian architects, Nikolai Ulyanov and Mikhail Chernyayev, on the site of a public park at the intersection of two main lanes, Moscow Street (now Amir Timur Street) and Kaufman Street (now Milza Ulugh Beg Street), and was initially called Konstantinovskaya Square.
It was not paved, getting all dusty in dry weather and muddy when it rained. In 1913, a multi-figure monument to the first Turkestan governor-general, Konstantin Kaufman, was erected here, upon which the square was renamed Kaufmansky.
After the 1917 Russian Revolution, the square was renamed once again, this time as Revolution Square; the Kaufman monument was dismantled, in 1919, but its granite pedestal remained. During the late 1940s, it was reused to accommodate the statue of Joseph Stalin, and was ultimately removed only in 1961, as part of the nationwide de-stalinization campaign. In 1968, a sculpture of Karl Marx was put in its place.
Before that, in the 1950s, the square underwent significant reconstruction. Owing to its convenient central location, it regularly drew attention of the people who wished to express their political views. Here, alongside frequent communist rallies, starting from the late 1960s, the Crimean Tatars, who were deported by Stalin to Uzbekistan in 1944, also demonstrated several times, without authorization, demanding to be allowed to return to Crimea. Throughout the 1980s, this place was a popular hangout with both 鈥済olden鈥� youth and small-time criminals, attracted by the nearby cafe-restaurant (open until late hours), several ice cream parlors, and the alleys lined with benches.
In 1994, three years into Uzbekistan's independence, the square was renamed Amir Timur. The Karl Marx monument was dismantled and a bronze equestrian statue to Tamerlane was installed. Simultaneously, all the drinking and entertainment establishments in the vicinity were liquidated in a bid to tackle crime, prostitution, and idle pastime.
In 2009, another round of comprehensive embellishment was carried out bringing in new walkways, benches and modernized lighting, as well as well chopping down some of the old trees. Their place was taken by the newly-planted sakuras, chestnut and other trees. The effort proved worthy, as, beginning from the 2010s, the area has once again become regularly crowded with townsfolk, prompting the authorities to reopen the previously closed eateries and souvenir shops.
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Amir Timur Square on Map
Sight Name: Amir Timur Square
Sight Location: Tashkent, Uzbekistan (See walking tours in Tashkent)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Tashkent, Uzbekistan (See walking tours in Tashkent)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Tashkent, Uzbekistan
Create Your Own Walk in Tashkent
Creating your own self-guided walk in Tashkent is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Tashkent Introduction Walking Tour
The capital city of Uzbekistan, Tashkent, also historically known as Chach, is the country's cultural, industrial and administrative hub. First settled some time between the 5th and 3rd centuries BC, throughout its long history the city has had various changes in political and religious affiliations. The name Tashkent comes from the Turkic tash and kent, which literally means "Stone... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.0 Km or 2.5 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.0 Km or 2.5 Miles
Islamic Architecture Walking Tour
A visit to Uzbekistan is like leafing through the charred chapters of the Silk Road. Nowhere is this ambiance more exemplified than within the Islamic architecture adorning the streets of Tashkent.
One such architectural jewel is the Kukeldash Madrasah, dating back to the late 16th century. There is talk of making it into a museum, but it is currently still being used as a religious school.
... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.6 Km or 2.2 Miles
One such architectural jewel is the Kukeldash Madrasah, dating back to the late 16th century. There is talk of making it into a museum, but it is currently still being used as a religious school.
... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.6 Km or 2.2 Miles
Shopping in Tashkent
In the East they say, "A guest on your doorstep is happiness in your home!". Indeed, the Uzbeks, like no other people, are happy to welcome foreigners to their exotic world of aromas, tastes and cordial relationships manifested in authentic local food and products. In Tashkent you can find both of these, and in a great variety, on the street markets (bazaars), in smaller shops and big... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 6.0 Km or 3.7 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 6.0 Km or 3.7 Miles