Roman Catholic Cathedral of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
The Roman Catholic Cathedral of the Sacred Heart of Jesus is one of the most unusual architectural monuments in Tashkent. Few travelers expect to see a strict neo-Gothic structure among ancient madrasas and noisy bazaars. Today the cathedral is open to visitors, so anyone can take some bright photos in its interiors.
History of the church
Construction of the cathedral began in 1912. The author of the building's design was the Polish architect Ludwik Panczakiewicz. The work was not completed, and during the Soviet years, the unfinished structure housed a medical school, a dormitory, and a medical equipment warehouse. During this time, almost all the sculptures disappeared (were destroyed or stolen) from the church.
Since the 1980s, restoration work began in the church, and later it was transferred to the Catholic parish of the city. A new stage in the life of the unusual structure began in 2000 — then the cathedral was solemnly consecrated.
Today the church is open to parishioners and other guests. You can get in here for free. It is worth noting that the entrance is closed during services, and Monday is a day off here. It is better to check the visiting schedule for tourists in advance. By the way, services in the church are held in Russian, Korean, and English.
How to get there
The cathedral is located about a 20-minute walk from the Hamid Alimjan metro station; in the warm season, this distance can be covered on foot. Along the way, it is convenient to drop by the Mirzo Ulugbek Central Park or the Central Ecopark.
If you want to get directly to the cathedral by public transport, there is a bus stop called "Musical Lyceum" not far from the building.
