The Arbob Cultural Palace in Khujand, Tajikistan, is an ornate administration building that blends the history of traditional Tajikistan and its eventful yet fascinating Soviet past.
Having served as the Russian headquarters for the Voroshilov State Collective Farm in Leninabad (now Khujand) when it was part of the Soviet Union, the Arbob Palace is a structure of remarkable and abundant contrasts.
In fact, for such a small collective farm, the palace was a hugely ambitious project for the 1950s. It was built by the way of a Tajik tradition known as ‘Hashar’ which is essentially community volunteer work. Many notable buildings were built this way during the Soviet era and the custom still exists today, particularly in the more rural parts of the countryside.
Urukhojaev, a renowned communist leader, played a key role in the construction of the Arbob. It was his reputation as a firm Soviet leader that cemented the palace’s importance as a political base. His high standing has been proven by the fact that the first USSR leaders would visit the Arbob Khujand and while most communist meetings were very formal, Urukhojaev would insist on wearing his traditional Tajik clothes instead of an official uniform.
It is clear that Urunhujaev knew what he liked and he was so enamoured by the style of the Petergof Palace that he wanted to build a small copy of it in his village. The Arbob is the result of this intention – it boasts a series of tinkling fountains, tree-lined walkways, mountain vistas, stepped water features, and fragrant rose gardens. Indoors, colourful Tajik painted ceilings, crystal chandeliers, and antique parquet floors give the palace a regal feel.
The Arbob Palace is a special place in Tajik history as it was the very location where Tajikistan became independent, steering away from the Russians back in September 1991. Known as ‘the Palace of the People’, it is where the Tajikistan congress gathered a year later to pen the constitution of what is now recognized as a Tajik state. It was also here at the Arbob Cultural Palace Tajikistan that the country’s new flag was selected and the ‘plov of peace’ meetings were held after the gruesome Tajikistani Civil War finally ended in the late 1990s.
The Arbob Cultural Palace Khujand has had such a massive part to play in Tajikistan’s history that it appears on the Tajik Somoni five dirham banknote. It boasts over 100 rooms including an 800-seater theater, a modern tea room, and a museum that tells the tale of Tajikistan’s Soviet history which is well worth exploring if you can handle the fact that none of the exhibits are available in English.
Highlights include the rooms dedicated to Khujand and northern Tajikistan’s agriculture, from the cotton and wheat industries to cattle breeding, as well as Urukhojaev’s grave marked by a likened bust in the gardens on the right-hand side of the palace. Don’t miss the chance to check out the heart and soul of the palace – Urukhojaev’s office – with its distinctive red telephone and Kremlin-esque desk blotter.
Looking for other things to do in Khujand, besides the Arbob Cultural Palace in Tajikistan? Check out our exciting Khujand itineraries and tours
