Kokhi Navruz – Navruz Palace, Dushanbe in Tajikistan

Navruz Palace in Dushanbe, the capital of Tajikistan in Central Asia, began construction in 2009 and was completed in September 2014. The four hectare complex includes a large palace, fountains, summer pavilions, and gardens.

From the beginning the complex – “Kohki Navruz” – was planned as the biggest national tea house in Central Asia, but in the process of building it, it turned into a monumental museum of national Tajik artisanry and carpentry.

Approximately 4,000 craftsmen from all parts of Tajikistan were involved in its architecture, construction, and decoration — from its chandeliers to its parquetry floors. The artisans crafted decorative wood carving columns and ceilings, wall decorations, Florentine mosaic coloured mirrors, and hand-painted ceilings.

The height of the biggest cupola — the dome — is 40 metres. It is considered to be the largest dome in Central Asia.

The complex also has seven lifts (including a panorama elevator), bowling hall, billiard room, 3D movie theatre, night club, shop, art gallery, and a small national teahouse.

MARTINA NICOLLS is an international aid and development consultant, and the author of: Similar But Different in the Animal Kingdom (2017), The Shortness of Life: A Mongolian Lament (2015), Liberia’s Deadest Ends (2012), Bardot’s Comet (2011), Kashmir on a Knife-Edge (2010) and The Sudan Curse (2009).

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