Dushanbe

Dushanbe – capital of Republic of Tajikistan from 1924. (From 1924 to 1961 - Stalinabad), is located in the Gissar valley. Once on this place there was a small kishlak with 42 houses where on Mondays the was market where inhabitants of all neighbouring kishlaks gathered, from here and the name «Dushanbe» - "Monday". If in 1924 here there was a small kishlak with some houses of inhabitants, and was not an electricity, a waterpipe and even roads, now it is a modern city where you will find everything, from modern five and four star hotels with the European service, tennis courts and small streets, historical museums with unique exhibits, restaurants and night clubs to east markets etc.

The basic sights in city are centre on the area "Dusti" (Friendship), a monument of Ismoili Somoni – to the founder of the first Tajik state of Tajiks in IX - X centuries near to which there is a recreation park Rudaki - favourite vacation spot of inhabitants and visitors of capital.

The botanical garden of Academy of sciences of Tajikistan which was stretched on a few kilometres will amaze you with an abundance of plants from all corners of the world, especially a collection of roses.

If you are interested in history and culture of republic we advise to begin the excursion with local Museum of K.Behzoda which is near to hotel "Poytaht" where all presented about Tajikistan: a country plant and animal life, history, culture, art.

One of the most well-known museums is the National museum of antiquities of Tajikistan where all archeological finds of the republics made in territory are collected beginning from the Stone Age before the developed Middle Ages. Among unique exhibits such as: Alexander the Great head in a lion's helmet, wall painting of the ancient city of Penjikent and the well-known sculpture of the Buddha in a nirvana condition.

Near to it, there is a museum of ethnography S.Andreeva in whom there is a rich collection of clothes, ornaments and subjects of a life of all people occupying republic.

In a museum of musical instruments Gurmindzha Zavkibekova are presented musical instruments from all over the world. Here you can not only look at a collection, but also hear live national music performed by the son and pupils of the founder of a museum.