Dushanbe, Tajikistan
Dushanbe, Tajikistan
Dushanbe, the capital city of the republic, is located in Hissar Valley in the south of Tajikistan. Before the revolution the site of the present capital of Tajikistan was occupied by three small kishlaks: Sary Assija, Shahmansur and Dushanbe (dushanbe means "Monday" in Tajik; the market-day in the kishlak). Although the name of the city is rather new, its historical past dated back as far as 3 thousand years. Archeologists have dug out the remains of Greek-Bactrian settlements, the site of ancient settlement from Kushan period (7th - 8th centuries), site of ancient Shishi Khon village and other medieval settlements. In the early 20th century Dushanbe was the summer residence of Hissar beks. In 1920 the last of Bukhara emirs Said Alimhon fled from Bukhara and made Dushanbe his residence. But Bolsheviks forced him to leave Dushanbe and run abroad. On July 14th, 1922 Dushanbe was taken by Bolsheviks. The Soviet power was established in the city. Dushanbe became the capital of newly-formed Tajik SSR. However, it could hardly be calle a city. There was a small settlement of 4 houses with wooden floors, 42 wagons and 283 inhabitants. In than 70-year's time a small mountain kishlak has grown into green, modern, industrial city with more than 600 thousand inhabitants. From 1929 to 1990 it was the capital of Tajik SSR, and since 1991 it has been the capital of independent. Tajikistan
Sadriddin Aini Square
There stands the writer's monument opened in 1978 when entire country was celebrating his100th jubilee. The statute of Sadriddin Aini is surrounded with all characters of his books.
One of the most beautiful places of the city, surrounded by Indian lilacs. In the center of the square there is a big fountain; it is favored by students, artists, musicians, and actors.
The largest and the most elegant square in Dushanbe. In the center stands Ismail Samani monument; nearby is the museum constructed in the honor of the 1,100th anniversary of Samanid state. There is also the House Tajikistan Government.
It is decorated with beautiful fountains, colorful flowers and magnificent spruces. The Presidential Palace is located right there.
A small restaurant in Varzob in the capital's suburb is a popular recreation place of Dushanbe citizens. It is uniquely placed right in on the open terrace between two mountain tops. Only there you can have hot trout directly off a frying pan and champagne cooled in the mountain stream. Downtown is located "Rokhat" Chaikhana - the place favored by foreign tourists. The chaikhana is designed in the national style: artistic molding on ganch, paintings on the walls and ceilings. There you will be treated with a wide range of national dishes. The place is great not only for meals but also for socializing. It is an Oriental version of a Western club. Many foreigners spend hours sitting with their dastarkhan and fragrant green tea.
This name was given to artificial reservoir framed by a green park - a favorite recreation spot of the townspeople in the summer time. Lake Komsomol is fed from the river Dushanbinka and is a part of the cascade of lakes which look like a pearl necklace framing the river.
Near Dushanbe , in the right lateral gorge of the river Varzob there is a 30-meter Guzgarf water fall, the most beautiful one in. the Hissar Mountains
Hissar Fortess
The former residence of the bek, the deputy of Bukhara emir, is located 26 km to the west from the capital. The fortress with 1-meter thick walls, the loopholes for guns and cannons was protected by guards. Inside there were a pool and a garden. Across from the fortress was the market square with a caravanserai and numerous shops. Opposite the fortress entrance the old 17th-century madarsah where the Koran was studied has survived. Right beside it stands the new madrasah of the 18thI-19th centuries. Nearby there is the 16th - 17th mausoleum. Hissar Fortress has been turned into historical and cultural reserve, an open-air museum