Uzbekistan Archives * Sixtyexpress

Tashkent was hit by a massive earthquake in 1966. 80 percent of the city was destroyed.

As most people lived in compounds at that time, only 10 people were declared dead but there were many injuries. The Soviet came in with other neighbouring countries to help the people. Architecture changed in the city to medium and high rise. There is still a section of the ‘old city’ but now high rise dominates the skyline with more modern styles.

There are two parts of the old city locals feel are important. The first is Khartoum-Imam square that contains the Kukeldash Madrasah ,Barack Khan Madrasah , Tilly’s Sheikh Mosque and Kaffee Shashi Mausoleum. It dates back 2000 years.

Inside the local mosque with wooden carvings.

The Madrasah was a day school and one was for the wealthy only…..first private school? Now the Barack Khan Madrasah is a Quran museum. One book dates back to 644- 656 and was written by Caliph Oscan from the prophet Mohammad, and is considered one of the oldest in existence. The pages were thick and the writing large in a red coloured ink of pomegranate juice,ash and wool oil. It was very clear but of course I couldn’t read it. I don’t think you could either…..our early Arabic is a bit rusty .

Naturally the second important place is the bazaar for the weekly shop. You can even go for your weekly dose of Plov so you don’t have to cook it or any of the other favoured fast food like dumplings or Samsos( it’s like a pie).

The tomatoes taste as good as they look!

Material by the bolt or just a metre or two

Subways in some countries are plain but here in Tashkent many have decorated ceilings or walls. Let’s investigate. It costs 1400 som…..about 18c au.to travel on a very fast system.

Guess what , look it’s a train museum.

Yes I know, trains again but Mike does love them.

I know you can’t wait to see the old trains. It was strange going through security just to get into the train station…There are two main stations, north and south…I thought it was a bit boring inside, how about you?Just a pretty face?

The coffee is good.

Back we go to the group to see a few more sights before we head for the airport. A German immigrant way back in the day set up craftsmen workshop to promote Uzbekistan crafts. His rather ornate and unique house is now a museum for some of the crafts.

Some of the hand embroidered textiles are magnificent. The stitches are so fine.

A Christian church for a change. It is impressive.

Next stop a memorial to World War 2. 600,000 soldiers did not return and all their names are written on brass sheets.

Not far away is the Independence Square celebrating Uzbekistan gaining its independence from the Soviet Union after years of being controlled by one power or another.

From here there are two more sights Tashkent people like to share. The first is a memorial to 20 poets who demanded independence and were killed by the KGB with the largest telecommunications tower in Central Asia in the background.

Now the other thing closest to every Uzbek heart is Plov, a type of pilaf. Naturally you need to go to the Plov centre. Wow that is one bug cauldron….but watch out for them lifting the burning wood out.

Before I leave for the plane….just a few fun sights you may have missed. Overall this has been my favourite country. The people are friendly. Council workers survive on $252 a month and the average wage is $472 a month so multigenerational living and buying in bulk makes sense. Food and public transport is cheap. PS. Some toilets you need to take deep breaths and a jug of water before entering 😁🤣😂

Xayr. Salomat bo'ling

Goodbye for now.

Today we head for the last city on the Silk Road we will be visiting but first we will see a few more important sites in Samarkand. Amir Timur is revered as a wonderful leader in Central Asia and he certainly influenced a huge area through either trade or conquering the population.

It extended to India,Africa, Turkey and even into Europe.He is buried in Samarkand and being prepared even had built his own mausoleum. He had built another but this was the most convenient one at the time. 7 members of his family and his teacher are all buried together.

The teacher with a horse tail suspenses above to show his wisdom.

Back of building showing before restoration.

Cemeteries are always interesting but perhaps not as ornate as the Shohi-Zinfandel Necropolis. This is located on the Afrosiab mountain. This was the original site of the old Samarkand city. In some places the old city wall can be seen. The area dates back to XI,XIV and XIX centuries AD. Some of the tile work on the mausoleums are amazing especially when you think vegetable dyes with ash would have been used to colour many of them.

Friendly tourist police always ready to help hapless tourists.

Mirzo Ulugbek was Timur’s grandson but was more interested in science, education and sorting out a workable financial system for his people than conquering areas. Apart from the schools he set up that taught maths,science and religion, he set up an observatory. With this, he proved the sun was the centre of our solar system. Not bad for 1400’sAD.

Let’s have a quick look at his museum.Unfortunately, when Ulugbek wanted to share his studies, he was killed by his son as his ideas were considered inflammatory.

Coins introduced as a currency for trade

Remains of sextant used to study the stars.

Rest time. We are driving to Tashkent.The land is fairly flat with different types of agriculture depending on availability of irrigation. The road is just like those around us….a bit rough with a few pot holes. It is interesting to see farmers still using carts pulled by donkeys.Sorry I wasn’t quick enough to take a snapshot of the donkeys or camels we saw. Did you get some?