I noticed that many travelers visiting Tashkent take a stroll around the Minor Mosque. This is quite a young landmark in the city, but tourists are drawn here not for the historical significance of the complex, but for its unusual snow-white facades and the cozy courtyard where they can take memorable photos.
Minor Mosque: A Walk Around the Area
Construction of the Minor Mosque on the banks of the Ankhor Canal began in 2013. The building was completed relatively quickly; on October 1 of the following year, just before the Kurban Hayit holiday, President Islam Karimov inaugurated the complex.
Many historical religious buildings in Tashkent are made of unadorned brick, but the Minor Mosque stands out because its facades are covered in white marble. The complex features two 38-meter minarets, and it is noted online that "minor" translates to "minaret" or "tower."
In front of the main building of the mosque, there is a small inner courtyard, which looks very cozy with its well-kept trees. At the entrance, there is a stand with cloaks, as it is an active place of worship, and tourists may be asked to cover exposed body parts.
Visitors can enter the main building of the mosque through the central entrance, right next to which there is a corresponding sign.
Not far from the mosque flows the Ankhor Canal. Recently, active work has been underway to improve its embankments, so you can take a stroll along the waterway to get acquainted with the area. Interestingly, the color of the canal water changes throughout the year: in spring, due to melting snow in the mountains, it turns brown, while in summer and autumn, the water surface takes on a turquoise hue.
To the south of the Minor Mosque is a cemetery of the same name. If you walk along the canal to the north, you will come across a place called "Minor Somsa No. 1" just 200 meters away. People often queue here for samsa, and the fame of this place has long spread beyond the city, although in my opinion, you can find establishments in Tashkent that serve more delicious dishes.
How to Get There
The mosque is located at 41 Khurshid Street. You can walk here from the metro: it’s a 15-minute walk from the "Badamzar" station and a 20-minute walk from "Minor."
Entrance to the mosque is free. In the warm season, it’s convenient to combine a visit to the complex with a trip to the Japanese Garden. In spring, this place turns into a huge photo zone with cherry blossoms and peacocks.
Have a nice trip!
