Museum
Karakalpak State Art Museum
Located in the Autonomous Republic of Karakalpakstan, in the far west of Uzbekistan, close to the Aral Sea, this is one of the most extraordinary museums in Uzbekistan, both for…
Khovrenko Vineyards
The wines of Samarkand have been famous since antiquity. However, modern commercial production of wine dates from 1868, when Dmitri Filatov, a Russian merchant, founded a small, largely experimental wine…
Samarkand Regional Museum of Local Lore
This is located in the old Jewish quarter of the city, in what was once the private residence of a leading Samarkandi merchant, Abram Kalantarov. The building, which dates from…
Afrosiab History Museum
This, arguably Uzbekistan’s most famous museum, is of world-class significance. It is located just outside Samarkand, by the ancient city of Marakanda – one of the largest archaeological…
Museum of Applied Arts of Uzbekistan
This is located in an enchanting building that, like Leighton House in London, was constructed in ‘oriental style’ (with discreet modern conveniences). It was originally the home of Alexander Polovtsev…
The State Museum of Art
In January 1918, Grand Duke Nikolai Konstantinovich Romanov (grandson of Tsar Nicholas I), who had lived in exile in Tashkent for many years, died. Almost immediately, his art collection was…
The State Museum of History
Founded in 1876, this is one of Central Asia’s largest and oldest collections of art and archaeological artefacts. Walking through the museum is like being transported in a time…
Museum of Communication History
This is mostly devoted to the development of modern communications systems (mid-20th century onwards) in Uzbekistan. The exhibits are well displayed and the labelling is excellent. For the less…
Othman (Usmon) Quran in Tashkent
One of the greatest treasures of Uzbekistan, and a part of our common world heritage, is the ‘Othman Quran’ (Usmon Qur’oni in modern Uzbek). This magnificent, awe-inspiring manuscript…