
FUJILOVE MAGAZINE posted an illustrated article by famous Dutch travel journalist and photographer John Reinhard, who is fascinated by Silk Road countries, specifically Uzbekistan.
During his trips to the region, John Reinhard was impressed not only by the ancient cities of Uzbekistan as Samarkand, Bukhara, Shakhrisabz and Khiva, but also highly amazed by the capital city Tashkent, particularly the Tashkent Metro Underground Art.
“Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan has more than 3.5 million inhabitants, making it the largest city in Central Asia. The city is also seen as the most cosmopolitan city in all of Central Asia. With extremely wide tree-lined avenues, countless fountains with many benches, parks and numerous modern restaurants, this surprisingly clean Tashkent is absolutely very different from the idea that you usually have of a Central Asian city” quotes the Fujilove Magazine.
The magazine posted breathtaking photo gallery of 29 Metro stations of Tashkent by the famous photographer, mentioning that the capital city unlike Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva was unable to preserve many ancient monuments due to an earthquake, however has its own sights. Tashkent Metro was highlighted as one of them, being the first underground transportation system in Central Asia.
“Tashkent metro stations are among the best-kept art secrets in the world. You will find a different artistic design and creative theme at almost every of the 29 stations. With a train ticket that costs 1400 Sum (about € 0.30) you can enjoy yourself for a day in the most beautiful art galleries you have ever seen” writes the magazine.
In the article, Tashkent Underground was named as the oldest Metro in Central Asia, being a masterpiece with decorated platforms, glazed pillars and glittering tunnels: “Soviet elements mixed with Islamic geometric shapes, angular shapes and sharp corners, which underline the grandeur and power of the once so powerful Russian empire, but at the same time seem to clash with the graceful lines and seductive cobalt and emerald hues of the Arab world”.
The magazine also mentions that Metro network was built as a part of reconstruction plan after Tashkent earthquake, which had destroyed 80% of the building in the city, laving 300,000 people homeless. Being an important part of the transformation, Tashkent Metro has become the jewel in the crown of the new Tashkent.
Talking about the design of the underground, the article quotes “Despite modest concrete entrances and simple handrails, the view inside is enchanting. The interiors consist of sturdy and stable materials: metal (in the form of engravings), glass, plastic, granite, marble, ceramics and alabaster. The stations were decorated with pink and light gray marble from Gazghan and Nurata, and granite from the Kuramin and Chatkal mountains. The lighting is also interesting; in some stations it creates the atmosphere of the banquet hall, in others that of mysterious catacombs”.
The author also compares the Tashkent Metro to the London metro, for having the range and accessibility of the latter, the efficiency of the Rotterdam Subway, the simplicity of the Rome Metropolitana and the space of the trainsets of the Paris metro. However highlighting that in the field of art, the Tashkent Metro has no equal.