For decades, a photography ban was enforced across the Uzbek capital’s metro network.
Kosmonavtlar Station – dedicated to the Soviet Union’s cosmonauts. Photo: Tom Grundy/HKFP.
Central Asia’s oldest subway system fulfilled a secondary role as a nuclear fallout shelter, meaning the authorities considered it a military installation.
Alisher Navoi Station features mosque-like decor. Photo: Tom Grundy/HKFP.
But on June 1, the ban was lifted revealing 29 uniquely decorated stations built by some of the country’s leading artists and architects.
Yunus Rajabiy Station. Photo: Tom Grundy/HKFP.Photo: Tom Grundy/HKFP.
The Tashkent network consists of 192 soviet Metrovagonmash cars running across three lines.
Chorsu Station. Photo: Tom Grundy/HKFP.Guards many every station. Passengers go through two manual bag checks as they enter the system. Photo: Tom Grundy/HKFP.
Construction of the system began in 1973, and it opened four years later.
Tashkent Station. Photo: Tom Grundy/HKFP.Alisher Navoi Station. Photo: Tom Grundy/HKFP.Alisher Navoi Station. Photo: Tom Grundy/HKFP.
Each ornate station has a theme, with decor created from engraved metal, glass, granite, marble or ceramics.
Photo: Tom Grundy/HKFP.Alisher Navoi Station. Photo: Tom Grundy/HKFP.Alisher Navoi Station. Photo: Tom Grundy/HKFP.Alisher Navoi Station. Photo: Tom Grundy/HKFP.
Unlike other metro systems across the former soviet union, Tashkent’s stations are relatively shallow in depth as the region is prone to earthquakes.
Gafur Qulom Station. Photo: Tom Grundy/HKFP.Amir Temur Hiyoboni Station. Photo: Tom Grundy/HKFP.Kosmonavtlar Station. Photo: Tom Grundy/HKFP.
The system now employs over 3,120 people, including security staff, ticket salespeople and escalator attendants.
Valentina Tereshkova – the first woman in space – featured at Kosmonavtlar Station. Photo: Tom Grundy/HKFP.The entrance to Mustakillik Maydoni Station. Photo: Tom Grundy/HKFP.Minor Station. Photo: Tom Grundy/HKFP.Photo: Tom Grundy/HKFP.
It is one of the world’s cheapest metro systems, with tickets costing a flat fee of 1,200 Uzbek som, or HK$1.20.
Tickets cost a flat fee of 1,200 Uzbek som, or HK$1.20. Photo: Tom Grundy/HKFP.Tashkent Station. Photo: Tom Grundy/HKFP.An interchange passageway. Photo: Tom Grundy/HKFP.Uzbekiston Station. Photo: Tom Grundy/HKFP.
Thick metal doors were built into the design to afford some protection in the event of a nuclear strike.
Thick metal doors were built into the design to afford some protection in the event of a nuclear strike. Photo: Tom Grundy/HKFP.Photo: Tom Grundy/HKFP.Yunus Rajabiy Station. Photo: Tom Grundy/HKFP.Photo: Tom Grundy/HKFP.Yunus Rajabiy Station. Photo: Tom Grundy/HKFP.
Following the country’s independence in 1991, some of the communist symbols were removed or covered up, and several stations were renamed.
Artwork marking 2,200 years since Tashkent was founded. Photo: Tom Grundy/HKFP.Tashkent Station. Photo: Tom Grundy/HKFP.Tashkent Station. Photo: Tom Grundy/HKFP.Photo: Tom Grundy/HKFP.Pakhtakor Station is dedicated to the cotton industry. Photo: Tom Grundy/HKFP.Photo: Tom Grundy/HKFP.Another soviet-era design at Pakhtakor Station. Photo: Tom Grundy/HKFP.Pakhtakor Station is dedicated to the cotton industry. Photo: Tom Grundy/HKFP.Novza Station. Photo: Tom Grundy/HKFP.Photo: Tom Grundy/HKFP.
Under President Shavcat Mirziyoyev, Uzbeckistan is opening up – economically, and to tourists.
Photo: Tom Grundy/HKFP.
And for visitors to the capital, exploring Tashkent’s metro system is a highlight in itself.
Mustakillik Maydoni Station. Photo: Tom Grundy/HKFP.
Tom is the editor-in-chief and founder of Hong Kong Free Press. He has a BA in Communications and New Media from Leeds University and an MA in Journalism from the University of Hong Kong. He has contributed to the BBC, Euronews, Al-Jazeera and others.
