Dushanbe

Overview

The capital of Tajikstan is nestled in the snowcapped Pamir Mountains and has a population of 600 000. It wasn⿿t always the premier city in the country: Until 1926 Dushanbe was a tiny village whose main importance was a market held every Monday (the city⿿s name means Monday in Tajik). Then the railroad came to town and transformed the sleepy hamlet into a major transportation hub.

The soviet building boom left its scars on the city. Nonetheless its tree-lined streets and avenues and stalinst government buildings are not without a certain charm.

The biggest attraction in town is the Barakat covered market where colorful Tajik goods are sold. Other sites include the motley Tajikistan Unified Museum (stuffed animals and ex-Soviet memorabilia) the Ethnographic Museum (traditional handicrafts) the Rokhat teahouse and Aini Square and Memorial Complex (named after the father of Tajik literature).

After you⿿ve exhausted the possibilities in town take a day trip to Gissar Fortress 18 mi/30 km away. The stronghold built in the 18th century and abandoned after 1920 was once the residence of the Turko-Mongric rulers. Other excursions can be made to Adzhina-Tepe (an ancient Buddhist monastery) and to the Varzob Gorge the site of a health resort and thermal springs (it will appeal to those who feel that hot radon steam is therapeutic). The Ramit Nature Reserve lies not far off.

History