Independence Square Tashkent (in Uzbek “Mustakillik Maidoni”) is the main square of Uzbekistan, which is located in the heart of city, the capital of this Central Asian country. Citizens often gather here to celebrate public holidays, on weekdays and weekends you can see the newlyweds, and in general, there are always a lot of people in the square, and a pleasant atmosphere reigns.

The park zone is located close to Anchor – the city river canal, on the banks of which you can often see Tashkent residents. Along the square, you can take a leisurely and pleasant walk to the noise and splash of the most beautiful fountains of seven-meter height. The majestic cypress alleys also deserve special attention – you simply must see them with your own eyes. Mustakillik Square is the central tourist attraction of Tashkent with a complicated history dating back to the 19th century.

independence square tashkent

History of the Independence Square Tashkent

In 1865, the Kokand Khanate ceased to exist, and Tashkent joined the Russian Empire. They decided to rebuild the city in a European manner according to the master plan, which prescribed to arrange squares and streets according to a certain (central-radial) layout. The palace of the Kokand khans, which stood not far from the place where Mustakillik Maidoni is currently located, was destroyed, and in its place, the construction of a residence for the Governor-General of Turkestan began (this building was called the “White House”). Soon, the square in front of this palace was called Cathedral Square, since the Transfiguration (Military) Cathedral was built on its other side. In the 1930s, the cathedral was demolished, and the square was renamed Red. In 1956, another renaming took place – the area began to bear the name of V.I. Lenin. In April 1966, a severe earthquake occurred in Tashkent, as a result of which the central part of the city was almost completely destroyed. This cataclysm forced a radical reconstruction, which ended in 1974. Its result was an increase in area by 3.5 times. After the collapse of the USSR and the withdrawal of Uzbekistan from its composition, the square got its modern name “Independence Square” in 1992. The Lenin Monument (made by the sculptor N.V. Tomsky during the reconstruction of the square) was dismantled in 1991, and the Monument of Independence of Uzbekistan was erected on its old pedestal. It is a globe cast in bronze, with hypertrophied contours of the borders of Uzbekistan, and symbolizes the recognition of the former Soviet Socialist Republic as an independent state and an equal member of the world community.

independence square tashkent

Places around the square

The general reconstruction gave the square a modern look, the buildings were restored and ennobled. The first thing people see at the entrance to the square is the arch of “good and noble intentions”, which is officially called “Ezgulik”. The construction consists of sixteen columns made of light shade marble and connected by a ceiling, on which the figures of storks are installed – a symbol of peace and tranquility.

An alley begins from the ensemble of columns, on both sides of which are the very impressive fountains and park areas. The alley leads to the Monument of Independence and the Monument to the Happy Mother. The figure of a woman with a baby in her arms was installed at the foot of the monument in 2006. The Monument to the Happy Mother represents the Motherland and its concern for the “children” – the Uzbek people.

On the left side of the square are the Senate (until 2003, the building of the Alisher Navoi library was located in its place), the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan, various ministries and other administrative buildings. Opposite the buildings of the government apparatus, a forest park zone was organized on the territory of which there is an Alley of Memory and Glory as a tribute to those who died during the Great Patriotic War.

On the left and right sides of the alley are galleries trimmed with carved granite and columns of wood. Fourteen steles – fourteen regions of the country. Books of memory are placed on these plates, where all the names of the brave Uzbeks who gave their lives defending their homeland from the Nazi invaders are written in gold. At the end of the alley is the Monument of Independence and Humanism. People still remember what ancestors paid the bloody price for their children to be free, therefore, laid flowers can be observed at the monument all year round.

How to get to Independence Square Tashkent

By metro – the nearest Mustakillik station goes directly to the square, between the Gallery of Fine Arts of Uzbekistan and the Reception House of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
By bus – to the Mustakillik stop, with routes No. 30, 37, 57, 97, 140.
By taxi – services operating in Tashkent: Yandex. Taxi, AlfaTaxi, Easy taxi.uz, Caravan taxi, MyTaxi.uz, Taxi Carrier, Taxi Lux, and others.
On a rented car (see driving directions below).