History of Culture of Uzbekistan State Museum

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History of Culture of Uzbekistan State Museum

State Museum of History of Culture of Uzbekistan, Samarkand
State Museum of History of Culture of Uzbekistan, Samarkand

The State Museum of History of Culture of Uzbekistan in Samarkand is a significant cultural institution that offers a comprehensive insight into the rich history and heritage of Uzbekistan. Established in 1896, it is one of the oldest museums in the country and forms part of the Samarkand State United Historical-Architectural and Art Museum complex.

Throughout its long history, the museum has amassed thousands of unique exhibits that hold immense cultural and historical value. The museum is organized into five thematic departments: the history department, the art department, the department for permanent and traveling exhibits, the department of archaeology, ethnography, applied arts, and numismatics funds, and the marketing department.

Visitors to the museum can explore a wide range of artifacts, including jewelry pieces from the Bronze Age, Zoroastrian ossuaries and worship items, an 8th-century chess set, and several thousand original paintings by renowned Uzbek artists from the early 20th century. One of the museum’s notable exhibits is the film «Opening the Tomb of Tamerlane» by M. Kayumov, which was shot on the eve of World War II in 1941.

State Museum of History of Culture of Uzbekistan, Samarkand
State Museum of History of Culture of Uzbekistan, Samarkand
State Museum of History of Culture of Uzbekistan, Samarkand
State Museum of History of Culture of Uzbekistan, Samarkand
State Museum of History of Culture of Uzbekistan, Samarkand
State Museum of History of Culture of Uzbekistan, Samarkand

The museum boasts an extensive collection of antique and medieval ceramics, metalwork, and glass, as well as ganch décor. The numismatics fund is particularly impressive, with over 30,000 coins from various historical periods, including the early states of Central Asia, the Black Sea territories, Ancient Greece, and Ancient Rome. Among the rarest exhibits are three silver cups from the 5th-6th centuries, discovered in the Chelek settlement in Samarkand.

The ethnographic collection is equally remarkable, featuring around 20,000 items of national clothing, gold-embroidered textiles, and carpets, primarily from the 19th and 20th centuries. Visitors can also find intricately engraved knives and metal dishes crafted by Samarkand artisans.

One of the museum’s prized possessions is a globe made by the 19th-century Khojent educator Khodja Yusuf Mirfayazov. From 1978 to 2010, the museum was housed in a specially constructed building on the famous Registan Square. In 2010, following a government decision, the museum was relocated to Ulugbek Street. After several years of maintenance work, the museum officially reopened on September 1, 2014.

Address: 148, M.Ulugbek str., Samarkand 
Phone: (+998 66) 235 51 20
Working hours: from 09.00 till 17.00
Days off: no days off

Samarkand's Registan square

Samarkand city tour

From$90
6 Hours

Stroll through Shahi-Zinda
Explore Bibi-Khanym Mosque
Discover Registan Square grandeur
Shop at Siab Bazaar
Taste local traditional bread

Discover the enchanting city of Samarkand with our one-day tour. Visit iconic landmarks like Registan Square, Shah-i-Zinda, and the stunning Bibi-Khanym Mosque. Experience the rich history and vibrant culture of this ancient Silk Road city.
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