Some of the world’s most interesting places are born from a collision of unexpected influences.
That’s exactly what makes Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan, such a fascinating and surprising destination. Especially for lovers of modernist architecture.
If you’ve never been to Central Asia, you might not imagine that Tashkent is one of the world’s under-the-radar must-visits for architecture fans.
The Metro, the Museum, and More
Start with the jaw-dropping Kosmonavtlar Metro Station – its interior alone could be the highlight of a city. But it’s just the beginning.
Tashkent is full of striking examples of Soviet-era modernist design, including:
- The Museum of the History of Uzbekistan
- The bold Union of Artists building
- The Tashkent Circus – round and futuristic
- The iconic Zhemchug residential building
Each one reflects a moment when imagination briefly won over standardisation.
Besides a traveler in Tashkent has the great option to explore the modernism architecture with a special app https://tashkentmodernism.uz/application.html
A City Reimagined After Disaster
You might wonder – why Tashkent?
After a devastating earthquake in 1966, the city became a kind of playground for architects from across the Soviet Union. While much of the USSR continued to be filled with identical matchbox-style blocks, Tashkent was reimagined with vision and artistic freedom.
It didn’t last long – by the 1980s, the Soviet economy was unraveling under military pressure and failed planning. Budgets dried up. The dream faded.
But what remains in Tashkent today is a rare and fragile legacy – a glimpse of what Soviet cities might have looked like if creativity had prevailed.
Modernism and Middle Ages, Side by Side
Tashkent stands in contrast to Bukhara and Samarkand, Uzbekistan’s better-known gems. Cities famous for their Timurid-era Islamic architecture and Silk Road history.
Those cities are breathtaking in their own right.
But Tashkent offers something different:
A walk through a moment in modern history, frozen in concrete, steel, and curved glass.
Make your unforgettable journey through Tashkent, Uzbekistan, Central Asia – or anywhere else – with the help of Meet The Road, your smart travel planner for hidden stories and unexpected discoveries.