Abulkasym Madrassah

The Abulkasym Madrassah in central Tashkent is one of the city's few surviving 16th-century Islamic schools. It originally formed part of a larger religious compound that included a mosque and a bathhouse — a typical arrangement of Central Asian urban Islamic life. For much of its history the complex stood in relative isolation, but it now sits directly beside Uzbekistan's modern parliament building, creating a striking visual dialogue between Timurid-era heritage and Soviet-era statecraft. The surrounding parklike grounds offer a calm contrast to the busy nearby avenues, and the structure's arcaded facade and courtyard remain characteristic examples of regional Islamic architecture.