Main image: ГОЛ ос, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Getting There
The main Orthodox cathedral in Tashkent is located in the city center at 91 Avliye-Ota Street of Mirabad district, and can be reached by public transport:
- By bus: No. 2, 12, 40, 80, 81, 127, Mirabad market stop; No. 9t, 62, 69, 70, Avliyoota Street stop.
- By minibus: No. 62m, 95, 152m, Mirabad market stop; № 136m, Assumption Church stop; No. 67m, Avliyoota Street stop.
- One can get to the Holy Dormition Cathedral by metro: follow the Uzbekistan line to the Tashkent station (Toshkent), from there – 1 km on foot.
- The cathedral is located in 8 minute walk (700 meters) from the Central Railway Station of the Uzbekistan’s capital.
- You can also get to the Cathedral of Tashkent by taxi using services of Yandex.Taxi, Maxim, as well as local services My Taxi and Perekrestok.
What to Expect
The entrance to the Assumption Cathedral territory begins with a triple arch decorated with a golden dome. Literally at first glance, the picture is impressing with its splendor. All buildings are constructed according to classicism architecture, decorated with white decorative fixtures, which, against the blue walls background, make the composition airy and festive.
Particular attention is drawn to the huge traceried bell tower in 5 tiers, rebuilt at the end of the 20th century and became the decoration of the complex. In appearance, the church building is low, squat, crowned with a large drum and a large golden dome, three more small domes are placed above the side chapels and the altar apse.
From the inside, the cathedral seems spacious and light due to architectural tricks; a huge multi-tiered chandelier descends from the dome center. All around there are stucco moldings, icons in solid frames, banners – everything creates the impression that the cathedral is ancient and sacred.
History
In the 60s of the XIX century, a military campaign took place in Central Asia, therefore there was a need for a military hospital. Nearby, a cemetery was created with a temporary small church consecrated in the name of the holy martyr and healer Panteleimon.
Onsite of this church at the cemetery, the construction of the cathedral began in 1877. The head of the hospital presented a petition to expand the church, as the parish was growing and the small building could not accommodate all the parishioners. The necessary amount for the construction was collected by the city residents’ efforts. The largest funds were received from the governor-general and wealthy merchant Dmitry Zokho. It was he who for more than 10 years served as headman of the built church. The church consecration took place in January 1879 after the construction was complete.
The Holy Great Martyr Panteleimon was declared the church patron saint. A three-storey stone bell tower is located near the new building. The twenties brought renewal to the foundations of the church life; it passed into the possession of the renewed Synod of the Orthodox Church.
In the 30s, the cathedral was closed, and the services were canceled. Until the end of World War II, the hospital warehouse of the local military district was based here. After the war, it was decided to return the church to the believers for visiting; the re-consecration was carried out in 1958.
Facilities Available
Attractions nearby
- Mirabad Market
- La Piola Restaurant
- Joy Bowling Club
- Host-Indian Restaurant
- Bravo Pizza
