The golden oval
On the roof.
Adam Harangozó — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Adam Harangozó — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Ibrahimjon — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Kondephy — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Adam Harangozó — CC BY-SA 4.0
The National Museum of Tajikistan is a large museum in the capital, Dushanbe, with a total area of 24,000 square metres, over 15,000 of them exhibition halls. It is the best place to get a sense of the country in a single visit, from its natural world to its arts. The huge modern building stands out from afar because of the golden oval shape on its roof. It has four departments: natural history, ancient and medieval history, modern and contemporary history, and fine and applied arts. Visitors can choose among them according to their interests. The displays link the story of the Silk Road and old Central Asia with the country's modern image. From outside you see a long front with square columns and blue glass, with the museum's name in Tajik above the entrance. Before it lie a wide pool and flower-lined paths, and an equestrian statue stands in the garden. Close by rises a giant flagpole visible across the city, and the area makes a good walk in the morning or late in the day. It is not far from Rudaki Park, under 1 km in a straight line. Most labels are in Tajik and Russian with some English, so a guide helps. Check opening days before you go, and ask about photo rules in the halls. Allow two hours, as the building is very large.
On the roof.
Columns and blue glass.
Before the building.
Central Dushanbe, Tajikistan
English is limited, so a guide or phone translation helps.
Rudaki Park and the Ismoil Somoni Monument are a fairly short walk away.
