Samarkand Regional Museum of Local Lore
A private residence dating from the beginning of 20th century is characteristic architectural monument of the new city founded after the Russian conquest of Samarkand. It was designed by the architect E.Nelle for a merchant of the first guild Abram Kalantarov.
In 1981 it became the home of the Regional Museum of Local Lore and a rich historical exhibition. The interior decoration of the building combines the European and Central Asian styles.
The walls of the sitting rooms are decorated with elegant ganch carving, the carved wooden ceiling is decorated with colourful painted ornaments and ganch claustras harmonize with the stained-glass windows, reflecting the eclectic tastes of the owner of the house, who was one of the recognized leaders of the Bukhara Jewish community in Samarkand.
The traditional Jewish quarter of Samarkand is situated in the old city to the east of the Registan square, near the ancient Chokardiz cemetery and the Imam al Maturidi Memorial Complex. Until now some individual Jewish houses and a public bath house have been preserved there, as well as the "Dome" synagogue, while the Abramov House is being restored and transformed into a private hotel.
A considerable collection of Judaica gathered in the 1920s to '30s is conserved in the Museum of History, Culture and Art. It includes about 2,000 items including manuscripts and printed books in Hebrew, photographs from the 1920s and '30s, parchment scrolls of the Torah, passover attributes and costumes.
Address: 51, A.Jomiy Str.
Tel.: (+ 998 662) 33 03 52
