Metrostation „Alisher Navoi“

Now let’s move on to the Uzbekistan line. This transition is interesting in its own right: the “Alisher Navoi” station was designed in the early 1980s by the “Tashmetroproekt” institute, and it is a complex engineering hub, as it is connected to the “Pakhtakora” underground concourse. Once you step onto the Alisher Navoi platform, you’ll immediately notice the difference in scale. Here, the architecture strictly follows the classical traditions of Uzbek architecture, and the design is dedicated to the great poet Alisher Navoi. This is a column-type station with an island platform designed for five cars. The main feature of the hall is its increased height. White marble columns smoothly transition into pointed arches, upon which the domes rest. The lighting fixtures here are unobtrusive: they are neatly integrated into the carved cornice encircling these domes. The decor features granite with a national pattern, pink and white marble, chamotte, and blue ceramics. The glazed ceramic paintings on the domes are the result of the most intricate handiwork by artists R. Mukhamedzhanov, A. Rakhimov, V. Dudin, and I. Ablaev. But the station’s greatest pride is the murals on the platform walls. They were created by Chingiz Akhmarov, an outstanding People’s Artist of Uzbekistan (whom we mentioned earlier in connection with the Museum of Literature). Four monumental compositions based on the great poems of Navoi are displayed on the platform walls: “Layla and Majnun,” “Farhad and Shirin,” “The Wall of Alexander,” and “The Seven Planets.” Another 12 compositions and a high relief of the poet himself (works by sculptor I. Shanmardanov) are located in the transfer lobby. Recognition: This station is considered one of the masterpieces of the Tashkent Metro. In December 1987, during an anonymous survey of 250 expert architects, it ranked among the top stations for beauty. Professionals noted a rare achievement: the national character here is conveyed not simply through “superficial” decor, but through the very form and architecture of the supporting structures.