It was a good time to get here, late afternoon before the setting sun, so as I wait with time to kill what better way to spend while away the hours minutes seconds than looking at some of the tat for sale.
The souvenir shops occupy the former student rooms of the 16th-century Barak Khan Madrassa.
The Hazrati Imam complex, as it also known has has been the islamic heart of Tashkent for centuries. It is just really an enormous square, bereft of flora and fauna or even somewhere to sit! Not many locals about, it seems to be an unwelcome area unlike other similar complexes.
Flanked by a pair of 150ft tall minarets, the Hazrat Imam mosque fronts the square. The largest place of worship in Tashkent, was built as recently as 2007 taking just four months to complete.
Though still maintaining the architecture in the style of the 16th century, it is seen in some quarters as a carbuncle of style over substance.
It was an expensive build: with sandalwood columns from imported from India, marble from Turkey and blue tiles from Iran
The complex also has a number of other buildings including a madrassa a mausoleum and administration offices as well as that gift shop....which was the only building open at that time of day.
and I guess at the setting of the sun it would soon be time for that to shut and everyone can bugger off home for their tea.
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