State Art Museum of Uzbekistan

The State Art Museum of Uzbekistan is the country's largest repository of fine art, located in the heart of Tashkent on Amir Temur Avenue. The museum's neoclassical building, with its grand facade and spacious galleries, houses over 50,000 works spanning centuries. The collection is particularly strong in Russian avant-garde paintings from the early 20th century, including pieces by Kandinsky and Chagall, as well as a comprehensive display of Uzbek applied arts, ceramics, textiles, and jewelry that reflect the region's rich cultural heritage. Visitors can explore rooms dedicated to the art of Central Asia, from ancient Sogdian murals to contemporary Uzbek canvases. The museum also features European art, including works by Dutch and Italian masters. What makes this museum distinctive is its role in preserving Uzbekistan's artistic identity, with galleries that trace the evolution of local art through Soviet influence to modern independence. The peaceful courtyard and café provide a respite from the bustling city outside.

Don't miss

• Admire works by Russian avant-garde artists like Kandinsky, Chagall, and Malevich
• Explore the Uzbek applied arts section with intricate suzani embroidery and ceramics
• View ancient Sogdian wall paintings from Afrasiab
• See the collection of European paintings, including Dutch Golden Age works
• Relax in the museum's courtyard café with a view of the sculpture garden

Tickets & tours

Ways to visit State Art Museum of Uzbekistan

Cheapest way inTashkent Airport & Train Station Pick Up & Drop Off4.2★ · 57 travelers~1 hourFree cancellationFrom$20 per personSee dates →Best full dayExplore Amirsoy, Chimgan & Charvak – A Full-Day Mountain Tour4.9★ · 304 travelers~9 hoursFree cancellationFrom$49 per personSee dates →Private & flexiblePrivate Tashkent City Tour + Professional Photos5★ · 12 travelers~8 hoursFree cancellationFrom$65 per personSee dates →

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Know before you go

• Photography is usually allowed without flash, but some special exhibitions may prohibit it.
• Dress modestly out of respect for local culture; no strict dress code but covered shoulders are appreciated.
• Allow at least two hours to see the main collections; the museum is larger than it appears.
• Bring a water bottle as the galleries can be warm in summer.

A bit of history

Founded in 1918 as the Museum of Arts of the Turkestan ASSR, the institution moved to its current building in 1974. Its collection grew from nationalized private collections and archaeological finds, and it was renamed the State Art Museum of Uzbekistan after independence in 1991.