All the famous ancient places to visit in Uzbekistan What comes to mind when Uzbekistan's tourist attractions are in question? First of all, it is the country's architectural heritage, richest in Central Asia: masterpieces of medieval Islamic architecture - minarets, mosques, madrasahs (Islamic colleges), mausoleums, fortresses, palaces, etc as well as ancient Zoroastrian and Buddhist temples and ruins of ancient settlements... Among all of them stand out the famous Registan Square in Samarkand, with the three marvelous madrasahs built in the XV-XVII centuries at its three sides, and the grand Gur-e Amir Mausoleum where the great conqueror Tamerlane (Timur ) is buried. Bukhara is first of all associated with Ismail Samani Mausoleum dating back to the 9th century and the 50-meter-tall Kalyan Minaret. (There are over 170 important architectural monuments altogether in the city.) Khiva is famous for its unique Ichan-Kala 'inner city' historic part - a walled medieval Central Asian town being preserved as it was in the past - an artifact town.. . Thanks to its vast territory and very diverse terrains, Uzbekistan also boasts numerous natural attractions. They are the impressive tracts of the Kyzylkum Desert, for instance, and of course the majestic Tien Shan Mountains with their resorts and fascinating landscapes. SIGHTSEEINGS OF TASHKENT Tashkent ('a stone city'; also spelled Toshkent), Uzbekistan's capital, is in all respects a Central Asian regional hub; it is the fourth largest CIS city with a population of around 3 million. Today it has all the features of a modern metropolis and a capital, with a lot of attractive Central Asian-style newly-built structures and sites, as well as Soviet-era buildings. Tashkent is rich in museums, theaters and concert halls; there are a lot of traditional Central Asian and European-like restaurants and clubs, and several very nice parks, including a zoo and a huge botanical garden. Tashkent is the only Central Asian city which has an underground railway system (Tashkent Metro). It is probably one of the world's most beautiful: its stations are real works of art, each featuring unique designs covering various themes, such as famous people, events, valued notions, terms or just common nouns. Tashkent is a city of wide streets and numerous avenues, and is abundant in trees; although it is located in Central Asia, it has recently had a lot of evergreens planted, in addition to its traditional planes, poplars, oaks, willows, etc. Tashkent looks modern - it grew to its present size mainly during the Soviet times - but it is over 2,000 years old, and there is still some of its old part surviving, called Old City or Old Town. Tashkent Old city features a huge traditional Central Asian bazaar (there are many large and small bazaars in the city; most farmer products in the city are sold through them, not through stores), as well as several Islamic architectural monuments and quaint adobe mahalla neighborhoods , quite worth visiting for their charm. The Independence Square in Tashkent Khazrati Imam Mausolesm of Abubakr Kaftal Ash-Shashi Architectural Complex view all Tashkent Sightseeings »» SIGHTSEEINGS OF SAMARKAND Samarkand (also Samarqand) famous Uzbekistan's historc city. Over 2750 years of age, it boasts very spelled is probably the most
Prepeared by Imam Bukhari Tashkent Islamic Institute , Department of languages , English teacher Kadirov Farrukh
Uzbekistan’s first auction house — Art Vernissage — donates a unique artifact to the Center for Islamic Civilization
During the international expert forum “The Legacy of the Great Past — the Basis of an Enlightened Future” held in Tashkent, the country’s first auction house, Art Vernissage, presented the Center for Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan with a rare 18th-century artifact a brass astrolabe created in Samarkand in 1711.
This 21-cm scientific instrument is equipped with interchangeable plates, allowing its use across different geographical latitudes. Thanks to this feature, the astrolabe was considered a multifunctional scientific device of its time.
For reference: in the Islamic world, the astrolabe was not merely an astronomical tool but a symbol that combined scientific progress, practical application, religious devotion, and artistic mastery. It served as a reliable guide not only for astronomers but also for travelers, sailors, and merchants.
Great scholars such as Al-Khwarizmi, Al-Fargani, and Al-Biruni described in detail the structure and use of the astrolabe in their works, further highlighting its prominent role in Islamic civilization.
“This perfect instrument, especially between the 15th and 18th centuries, was recognized as one of the most advanced devices in the world. We hope this astrolabe, now part of the Center’s exhibition, will reflect the profound knowledge and craftsmanship of Islamic scholars and leave a lasting impression on all visitors”, said Shavkat Sultanov, Director of the Art Vernissage auction house.
This donation has further enriched the Center’s exhibition and strengthened the country’s intellectual environment and cultural dialogue.
As a reminder: at the international forum held at the Center on September 26–27 this year, more than 100 experts scholars and researchers, heads of museums and libraries, and heritage specialists from over 20 countries took part. Representatives of prestigious institutions such as IRCICA, ICESCO, TURKSOY, the World Islamic League, Oxford University, the Russian Academy of Sciences, and Christie’s contributed with lectures and analyses.
The international community highly praised President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s initiatives to preserve the humanistic essence of Islam and to foster intercultural dialogue.