Today we explored the capital city of Tajikistan, Dushanbe. The city has a population of approximately 880,000 people and is becoming quite a cosmopolitan city. Areas around Dushanbe were known as a centre of cotton and silk production during the Soviet period. Although the name of the city is rather new its historical past dates back as far as three thousand years.

Quick Dushanbe Facts

• Dushanbe is the capital and largest city in Tajikistan.
• Dushanbe means 'Monday' in Tajik.
• The currency used in the city (as well as all of Tajikistan) is the Tajik Somoni (TJS).
• Archaeological artifacts dating back to the 5th century BC have been found around Dushanbe, suggesting it was a small village from the 5th BC to the 20th AD centuries.
• Dushanbe was called Stalinabad from 1929 until the 1950s.

One of the top sights is undoubtedly the Hissar Fortress, 25 km away from Dushanbe. Hissar Fortress used to be the palace of one of Bukhara Emirate becks. The fortress with 1 m walls and loopholes for guns and cannons towered on a high hill's slope and was carefully guarded. Inside there was a pool and a garden. Across from the fortress, there was a noisy market square with a caravanserai and a variety of shops. Big staircases and brick-lined terraces led to the main entrance. Unfortunately, they haven't survived. The only remaining part is a monumental gate made from burned bricks with two cylindrical towers with an arrow-shaped arch between them; that was the way the majority of Bukhara gates were built in the 18th and 19th centuries. But even this fragment looks majestic and impressive. There are many fortress-related legends that are supported by local residents. One of them runs that the fortress was built by Afrosiab for the purpose of protection from Rustam's armies (both are notorious heroes of Firdausi's "Shakhname'). According to another legend, the righteous caliph Ali came to these places on his horse Duhl-Duhl to preach Islam and camped on a mountain which today is called Роi-Duhl-Duhl (to the west of Hissar). Disguised as an acrobat-rope-walker he made his way from the mountain to the fortress. Someone recognized him there so he was caught and jailed. But his noble steed brought him the sword of Zulfikar. With the help of the sword, he managed to defeat all his enemies including the malicious wizard who owned the fortress at that time. Two huge 500 to 700-year-old plane trees stand near the fortress.

While at the fortress we came across a Tajik wedding. We could not believe how miserable the bride and groom looked - not one smile was seen from either!! Dee advised us that weddings are taken very seriously and it is common for the bridal couple to look solemn. The guests were all dressed up and a few girls were happy to pose for us in their finery. They also took some selfies with the "foreigners". Clearly, this is a popular place for wedding photos because as one car was leaving another was arriving.

Back into the city centre and stopped at the Grand Central Mosque. Unfortunately, we could not get inside but it was still an impressive sight from the gate. The mosque is the largest mosque in Central Asia and can hold 60,000 people.

It was then onto the Museum of Antiquities. We started by putting on overshoes to protect the black marble floors. In the entrance foyer is the head of a Marco Polo sheep. The sheep is named after the famous explorer from the 13th century who described the meat and horns of these sheep in his book. They can grow to 6 feet and of note is their horns. They are shaped like corkscrews, positioned nearly parallel to the ground. Many of the exhibits, which focus largely on archaeological finds, represent key pieces of Central Asian history. Here you will see the originals which trump the copies in the National Museum. The most impressive exhibit is the laying Buddha terracotta statue in Nirvana. It is 13 meters long and weighs over 5 tonnes. The statue was found in 1961 during the excavations in the town of Ajina-Tepe, a Buddhist monastery, in the south of Tajikistan.

Located in Dusti (friendship) square at the very heart of the city you will find the prominent Ismoil Somoni monument at the main entrance. Ismoil Somoni was the founder of the Samanid Dynasty in the 10th century and is the man whom the currency is named after. The actual figure of Ismoil Somoni is 13 metres high although his surrounding arch extends the total statue to an impressive 43 metres adding to its imposing nature. At the opposite end of the manicured gardens, you will find the State Emblem Monument (also known as the Stele of Independence). To the left of the square, you find the imposing National Library. It was constructed to look like an open book, demonstrating the pride Tajiks place in their literary heritage.

The Palace of Nations building was created in 2002 by an Italian and currently serves as the residence of the President of Tajikistan. It has 4 floors and the giant dome at the top measures 18 metres.

The Parliament building served as the headquarters of the government during the Soviet period. It now houses the Supreme Assembly of Tajikistan. There are official portraits of Tajikistan's fearless leader Emomali Rahmon plastered on nearly every official building.

The Independence Monument in Istiklol Square is a recent addition to the city. The opening ceremony of the Square of "Independence" on the occasion of the 31st Anniversary of the State Independence was held in September 2022.

A busy day was finished off with dinner at a restaurant in a large imposing building. We were the only guests in attendance but there was a wedding in one of the function rooms. One of our group gatecrashed but soon got removed and they then locked the doors to prevent access. After dinner, we had a look at Dushanbe by night as we headed back to the hotel.