SQUARE OF AMIR TEMUR

On August 31, 1994, on the eve of the third anniversary of the independence of Uzbekistan, the square was named “Amir Temur Square”, and a bronze equestrian monument was opened in its center. President of Uzbekistan Islam Abduganievich Karimov, who was present at the opening ceremony, delivered a speech in which he said: “Our people, who have been in a colonial grip for many years, have been deprived of the opportunity to honor their great compatriot and pay tribute to his historical merits.”

Amir Temur Monument

The sculptors Kamol and Ilkh Dzhabbarovs depicted the ruler dressed in royal military clothes and riding a horse, since he spent most of his life in military campaigns. In his hands there is no weapon, he is depicted here as a ruler, statesman. The motto of Amir Temur, “Strength is in justice,” is displayed on the monument in four languages.

Amir Temur - a famous statesman and commander was born in the Khoja Ilgar village, near Shakhrisabz. He was the son of Taragai, belonging to the Barlas clan. From his youth, Temur participated in various campains, delved into the system of government. He ruled over a vast empire for over 30 years. He built one the biggest empires in the history.

Amir Temur, creating a centralized state in Movarounnahr, eliminating fragmentation, created favorable opportunities for the development of the country's economy, undermined by the long-term domination of the Mongols. Due to the political energy and purposeful activities of Amir Temur, the institutions of state, social and military administration were revived and improved.

The time of his reign was marked by a brilliant rise of architecture, urban planning, literature, decorative and applied arts, which is a unique phenomenon on a global scale.

More information about the life and work of the Temurid dynasty can be found in the State Museum of the Temurids, located next to the square.

The State Museum of the History of Temurids, created on the initiative of the First President I. A. Karimov, was opened in the center of Tashkent on October 18, 1996, to the 660th anniversary of Amir Temur. Unusually shaped structure with a dome in the style of famous architectural monuments is immediately evident and attracts attention.

STATE MUSEUM OF TEMURID HISTORY

The external architectural appearance of the museum is made in the form of the royal crown and is decorated with a ribbed turquoise dome. The museum has three entrance doors decorated with wood carvings and stained glass windows. The emblem of A. Temur is applied above the central door - three rings, meaning three conquered continents - Asia, Europe, Africa (northern part). The museum has a collection of exhibits testifying to the emergence of statehood in the Middle Ages on the land of Uzbekistan, the heyday of science, culture and art in the era of Temur and his heirs.

Coins, ceramic and bronze items, architectural ornamental coatings, books, ethnographic exhibits, and works of local artists are displayed in the windowcases.

Valuable documents are also presented, such as the correspondence of Amir Temur and his descendants with European monarchs, skillful miniatures, copies of images of Amir Temur painted by European artists of that time, armaments, clothing of military commanders and rank-and-file warriors, musical instruments, jewelry, astronomical instruments of Ulugbek and many other cultural treasures ​​dating back to the Temurids. The number of exhibits exceeds 2.5 thousand, almost half of them are in storage.

Significant steps have been taken in Uzbekistan to revive and perpetuate the name of Amir Temur. A medal of Amir Temur was established, monuments were erected in his honor in the cities of Tashkent, Samarkand and Shakhrisabz.

PALACE OF INTERNATIONAL FORUMS "UZBEKISTAN", CLOCK TOWERS

The opening of the Palace of International Forums was timed to the 2200th anniversary of Tashkent. The palace is the main venue for major events, including the activities of international organizations, which include Uzbekistan - meetings of heads of state, various congresses, conferences and other cultural events.

Built in the very center of Tashkent, it is one of the most elegant buildings of the country. The architects had the task of creating a modern interior, taking into account local traditions.

A classic building from the outside, from the inside looks very modern, but with elements of national culture. Precious metals and crystals adorn the interior.

The Palace of International Forums "Uzbekistan" was designed by architects of the Ippolito Fleitz Group and built in less than a year. The building is 48 meters high and ends with a dome, whith diameter of 53 meters. A pair of storks symbolizing peace and happiness froze in it in the spring dance.

Another attraction of the city is the 15-meter clock tower, designed by architect A.A. Mukhamedshin, to celebrate the 2nd anniversary of the victory in World War II.

The chimes were built for mechanical clock donated to the city by the watchmaker A.I. Aizenstein. The clockwork and one of the four dials were brought as a trophy from the city of Allenstein in malfunctioning condition. But the master repaired them and then made 3 more dials. Before the earthquake of 1966, this tower was one of the tallest buildings in the city and for many years was a symbol of Tashkent. Since May 9, 1947, residents and guests have the opportunity to enjoy the melodic ringing of these chimes, which is distributed around the area every 15 minutes. In 2009, after the reconstruction of the monument, Tashkent chimes had a twin, since in the East the pair number is considered lucky. Two towers visually resemble hospitably open gates.

HOTEL "UZBEKISTAN", STATE LEGAL UNIVERSITY, BANK

The Uzbekistan Hotel was built according to a joint project of architects I.A. Merport, L.I. Ershova and V.S. Roshchupkin. During the construction, the seismic activity of our region was also taken into account.

Now it is difficult to imagine Tashkent without this hotel, located in the “European” part of it and which is a combination of European and Eastern styles. Whatever they used in its decoration: marble, granite, shell rock, glass, precious woods ... And in the interiors - painting, stained glass, ceramics, wood carving, chasing for metal. Built in 1974, the hotel successfully fit into the general outline of this territory.

The 17-story building of the Uzbekistan Hotel with an openwork facade was originally designed for 278 rooms. Now the hotel, according to various sources, has from 300 to 312 rooms of various categories. The increase in the number of rooms compared to the original plan is explained by some as the expansion of the number of rooms during the reconstruction in 2010.

The hotel has a story. In the 60-80 years of the last century, the International Film Festival of Asia, Africa and Latin America was held in Tashkent. Then it became a tradition and the hotel "Uzbekistan" for many years received hundreds of guests from different countries.

And today, the hotel is still in demand, especially among middle-class people.

At the level of the third floor is a swimming pool with a bar. Several bars are located on the upper floors. On the 17th floor there is a sports complex for residents of this hotel.

The building is original in its form - resembling an open book. The main facade is decorated with sunscreen and decorative lattice.

One of the advantages of the hotel is that it is located in the center of Tashkent and is close to both the business center of the city and the main attractions.

It is noteworthy that the Uzbekistan Hotel resembles the Cosmos Hotel, which is located in Moscow, at VDNH. In fact, the legendary hotel in Moscow was built several years after the hotel in Uzbekistan.

Across the street, opposite the Uzbekistan Hotel, there are faculties of one of the prestigious universities of Uzbekistan. This is the State Law University.

It is housed in three buildings built in the 19th century, two of which form the territory of Amir Temur Square on the western side (former male and female gymnasiums).

The buildings were built in 1882 by architects E. Dubrovin, S. Yanchevsky and A. Belokha, they housed male and female gymnasiums. Moreover, the buildings of the male and female gymnasiums and the bank in an almost unchanged form (in the thirties of the XX century both buildings of the gymnasiums were built up and became three-storyed) have survived to our time.

And in the 1920s, the first faculties of the Central Asian State University were located here.

Now it is the National University named after Mirzo Ulugbek, located in another part of the city. It was the University which gave rise to many scientific institutions not only in Uzbekistan, but throughout Central Asia. The exclusive role of the university in the preparation and cultivation of the first scientists of local nationalities. Such prominent scientists as mathematicians T. N. Kary-Niyazov, T. A. Sarymsakov, biologist T. 3. Zakhidov, chemist A. S. Sadykov, geologist X. A. Abdullaev and others came out of its walls.

The main facade of the square faces the elegant building of one of the branches of Promstroibank Bank. This building with preserved Russian stucco was built for the branch of the first State Bank of Russia. Later, with the development of capitalist relations, many Russian banks were open. 

The building of the branch of the first State Bank of Russia, which, along with the buildings of the male and female gymnasiums, is included in the architectural ensemble bordering the city square, has survived to this day almost unchanged. 

This building for all the time of its existence was occupied exclusively by financial organizations. Today, the bank, as well as more than 100 years ago, operates in the building.

GUIDELINES:

• There are two options for visiting the Amir Temur Square: from the windows of the coach and on foot, with exit from the coach at the Uzbekistan Hotel.

• While driving around the square, the driver must reduce the speed to 30-40 km / h.

• The guide’s story should sound informatively short, but observing a logical sequence.

• When tourists exit the bus in the parking lot, it is necessary for a guide to wait for the whole group. Then safely and accurately transfer along the pedestrian crossing, having an identification flag in his/her hands.

• If the group is large, it is better to use the underpass.

• In case if the group is leaving the coach and touring on foot, more visual range and more detailed information is given while showing and telling about objects.

• For showing and talking about the object while driving, the guide should spend 5-8 minutes of sightseeing time.

• For giving a talk about the object outside the coach, the guide’s working time should be 25-30 minutes.

• Tourists are given at least 15 minutes for independent inspection and photographing.

Compiled by: Abdunabieva D.A. - Head Specialist of the Department for the Coordination of Educational and Methodological Developments of the Tourism Development Institute.

Translated by: Karshiev O.B. - Guide of the highest category.

Tourism development institute under the State Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan for Tourism Development

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