Amir Timur Square

Amir Timur Square is the central public square of Tashkent, Uzbekistan, at the crossing of Amir Temur Avenue and Mustaqillik Avenue in the Mirzo Ulugbek District. It is dominated by a bronze equestrian statue of Amir Timur (Tamerlane), erected in 1993 on the site where a statue of Karl Marx once stood, a change that reflects the country's post-Soviet reassessment of national heroes. The square is laid out as a landscaped garden with a circular plaza, fountains, tree-lined paths and benches, and it is surrounded by notable buildings including the Amir Timur Museum with its blue dome, the former Hotel Uzbekistan and the Tashkent Chimes clock tower nearby. Visitors typically spend 30 to 45 minutes walking the paths, viewing the monument from several angles and photographing the neighbouring architecture. The square is open 24 hours and entry is free. Fountains and lighting are at their best after dusk, so evening is the most rewarding time, and the area fills with families and couples strolling after sunset. Mornings are quieter and suit those who want clear photographs of the statue without crowds. The best vantage points are the northern side of the circle, where the monument sits against the museum dome, and the fountain edge for evening reflections. The Amir Temur Xiyoboni metro station on the Chilonzor line opens next to the square, with a fare of 2,500 UZS by card, about $0.20. The Amir Timur Museum is a three-minute walk across the square, and other central sights are reachable on foot. Visitors should keep an eye on belongings in busy evening hours and observe local etiquette when photographing families. Seasonal events and festivals sometimes alter the layout of the gardens.