Museum of Sadriddin Aini

Of potential interest to fans of Uzbekistan's literary heritage is the House Museum of Sadriddin Aini (7B Registan; 355 153; © 09.00-17.00 daily).

The house museum of Sadriddin Aini (1878-1954), an educator, organizer of the first "new method" schools in Bukhara, an outstanding poet and writer, and the founder of modern Tajik and Uzbek literature, is located in the center of ancient Samarkand, close to Registan square.

Built around a peaceful, whitewashed courtyard just metres from the Registan, the house museum has none of the crowds of its more famous neighbour.

Aini settled down here after he had escaped Bukhara, having suffered from the repression of the Bukhara Emir. The writer lived in this house, a late 18th century building, for more than 35 years.

It was in these rooms that Aini (1878-1954) wrote his most famous texts, including the novels Slaves and Dokunda, and the collection includes early editions, photographs and personal papers, as well as pre-revolution interiors and furniture. He worked here from 1923 to 1937. It was also here that he wrote his long and short stories "Odina", "The Slave-Grandfather", "The Old School", "The Pawnbroker's Death". He wrote "Yatim", "The Hero of Tajik People Temurmalik", "The Mukanna Uprising", his memoirs and other works.

The writer lived modestly. Household items all belong to Aini's family and date from before the revolution, reflecting the traditional Tajik and Uzbek way of life.

The elderly curator is passionate about his subject and shows you around the museum with surprising vigour. Sadly he only speaks Russian, so you'll need a translator to fully benefit from his knowledge.