Ismoil Somoni Monument

About this place

The Ismoil Somoni Monument is a statue beneath a tall arch on Dousti Square, the largest square in Dushanbe, and it is among the capital's main symbols and most photographed sights. It honours the amir of the Samanid state, whom Tajikistan counts among the founders of its history. The country's highest peak and its national currency also carry his name. Ismail Samani lived from 849 to 907, ruling Transoxiana from 892 to 907 and Khorasan from 900 to 907, and under him the Samanids emerged as a great power. The square began to take shape in the 1930s, with the main post office first and then Government House between 1940 and 1946, and its form has changed several times since. The arch rises above broad steps with the statue at its centre, in a wide setting of paving and gardens. Flower beds surround it through the season, joined by festive displays at Nowruz. Modern towers and ministry buildings stand behind the square, with the great flagpole in the distance. Rudaki Park is about 300 metres away in a straight line, so the two go well together on foot. The square is usually open, but parts may close for official events. Avoid photographing nearby government buildings, and ask the guards if you are unsure. The best photos come in the morning or when the monument is lit in the evening.