Russian Turkestan

Imperial Turkestan. Russian architecture of Uzbekistan

After the annexation of the territory of the present Uzbekistan to the Russian Empire in 19th century, the construction of the new European styled districts began in all the large cities such as Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara, Kokand, Fergana. The Residences of the Military Governors, the Women and Men Gymnasiums, banks buildings were constructed in every of these cities by the Standard projects of such talented architects as Georgiy Svarichevskiy, Alexey Benua, Wilhelm Heinzelmann and others.

It started the Turkestan Colonial style; its special feature was the bricked but not plastering front of the building, stucco mouldings and the iron ornaments as various balustrades, grates and railings.

The religious buildings deserve special attention: the Catholic Church and the Evangelic-Lutheran Church in Tashkent and St. Georgiy the Victorious Temple in Samarkand. Other architectural influences reflecting the national and religious features were added to the Turkestan style.

Because of deterioration from natural elements and political transformations many buildings were reconstructed. However we have a unique chance to see the beautiful and well-preserved examples of the Russian and European architecture of Turkestan.