Tashkent is the capital of Uzbekistan which has not preserved landmarks but it has the Tashkent Metro, the first underground transport in Central Asia.
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Tashkent has some of the most beautiful metro stations in the world.
The construction of the only metro in Central Asia was started in July 1972, and the first line of metro opened in 1977 (the red line) in honor of 60th anniversary of the USSR and connected the most populous district Chilanzar with the center of the city.
Prominent architects and artists of Uzbekistan took part in designing the stations. Each metro station is a chapter in a story told in murals, tileworks and mosaics. The station entrances are equally beautiful.
Today, the Tashkent Metro has 48 stations that differ from each other. It is the main attraction of the capital for tourists and the safest one as Tashkent is prone to earthquakes. The Tashkent Metro can endure earthquakes with the magnitude of 9.
For a long time it was forbidden to take any photos in the metro due to it being significant for the national security. Nowadays it is completely fine to have your videos and photos and the guards in the stations are very friendly.
Tashkent Metro is uniquely composed and finished with metal, marble, granite, glass, ceramics and alabaster. Lighting is amazing and each station is the separate place of interest.
Alisher Navoi station, for example, portray the scenes from the poems of the famous author. Ming Urik station is named after the same named ancient settlement that can be found near the center of Tashkent. Kosmonavtlar station celebrates SSSR's cosmonauts and their success in the Space Race.
The Tashkent Metro is open every day from 5am to midnight, that gives you enough time to explore the various stations and how they are connected with the old Soviet art. ■
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