How museums preserve the legacy of the Silk Road

Published on 24/03/2026 - 15:00 GMT+1•Updated
15:27
Copy/paste the article video embed link below:
From royal palaces and Silk Road artefacts to avant-garde art and interactive science exhibitions, Uzbekistan’s museums offer visitors a journey through centuries of history and cultural exchange.

Museums reveal a country beyond headlines and guidebooks
They preserve objects, stories and memories that explain how societies evolved, what people valued and how cultures intersected
For visitors like Benny Chang, discovering these collections offers a deeper connection to history
After visiting the Afrosiab Museum in Samarkand, he reflected on its significance
“I will definitely come back here,” he says
“Hopefully, in a few years’ time, there will be even more artefacts to see
This is definitely one of the places to visit.”
His experience reflects the broader role museums play across Uzbekistan, helping visitors understand the country through the traces left behind
Khiva and a palace shaped by transition
In Khiva, history is visible in the city’s architecture, where fortified walls and madrasas have stood for centuries
Just outside the historic Ichan-Kala lies Nurullaboy Palace, a residence that reflects a period of transition at the beginning of the twentieth century
Unlike the medieval structures inside the old city, the palace combines traditional Central Asian design with European decorative elements
Built on land once owned by a wealthy local merchant, the palace later became a residence for the Khiva khans and their families
Tour guide Anaposhsha Boltaeva explains that the palace served both private and ceremonial functions
“This complex includes separate courtyards for different members of the royal family,” she says
“It was used mainly during the summer, when open terraces provided relief from the heat.”
Today, Nurullaboy Palace functions as an exhibition space, offering insight into Khiva’s history
One of its most important displays features the work of Khudaibergen Devanov, Central Asia’s first photographer
His images document daily life and architecture in Khiva during a time of political and social change, preserving moments that might otherwise have been lost
Nukus: preserving art against the odds
Further west, in the city of Nukus, the State Museum of Arts houses one of the most significant art collections in Central Asia
Founded in 1966 by artist and collector Igor Savitsky, the museum holds more than 100,000 works, including paintings, applied arts and archaeological artefacts
Savitsky devoted much of his life to preserving artworks that were at risk of disappearing
His efforts created a collection that now attracts both local and international visitors
According to museum representatives, interest continues to grow each year
Visitors come not only to see paintings, but also to explore archaeological objects and traditional crafts that reflect the region’s cultural diversity
The museum’s collection offers insight into artistic movements, historical change and everyday life, showing how creative expression has developed across generations
Samarkand and history at its original site
In Samarkand, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, the Afrosiab Museum stands on the site of the city’s earliest settlement
Built in 1970 following the discovery of ancient wall paintings, the museum offers a rare opportunity to experience history where it originally unfolded
Tour guide Samariddin Mustafakulov explains that the museum was established after archaeologists uncovered murals dating back to the seventh and eighth centuries
These paintings provide valuable insight into Samarkand’s role as a major centre along the Silk Road
“Today, the museum holds nearly 20,000 artefacts,” says Samariddin
“Visitors are especially interested in the wall paintings, which reflect the cultural, political and artistic life of that period.”
Unlike many museums, the Afrosiab Museum stands directly within the archaeological site itself, allowing visitors to explore history in its original setting
In recent years, new technologies have enhanced the visitor experience
Digital displays, video presentations and audio guides help to explain the historical context, making the museum more accessible to international audiences
Tashkent and the story of modern innovation
While many museums focus on ancient history, others reflect more recent developments
In Tashkent, the Polytechnic Museum presents Uzbekistan’s technological progress, from early automotive engineering to modern manufacturing
Established in 2015, the museum introduces visitors to the science and innovation that shape everyday life
Its exhibits trace the development of vehicles from early mechanical designs to modern cars produced in Uzbekistan
Guide Azamat Sarkulov says the museum was created to inspire interest in science and technology
“Our museum helps visitors understand how engineering and physics are part of daily life,” he explains
“Interactive exhibits allow children and adults to learn through experience.”
The museum’s interactive zones encourage visitors to engage directly with scientific principles, offering a different perspective on how innovation has influenced society
Preserving stories across generations
Across Uzbekistan, museums serve many purposes
Some protect ancient artefacts discovered through archaeological research
Others preserve artistic achievements, historical photographs or technological milestones
Together, they offer a deeper understanding of Uzbekistan’s history and cultural development
Museums in Khiva, Samarkand and Tashkent each preserve different chapters, allowing visitors to see how the country has evolved
For visitors, these spaces provide more than information
They offer context, helping people understand how history continues to shape identity and culture
As Chang reflects on his visit to Samarkand, his impression captures the role museums play for travellers and locals alike: places where history is preserved, explored and experienced, and where each return visit reveals something new
Where heritage meets contemporary craft and new creative voices
In partnership with Center for the Production of Content for Mass Media under the Administration of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan’s theatres and the art of live performance
Exploring Uzbekistan’s winter landscapes