Gurminj Museum

Dushanbe


Hidden within a private family compound behind unmarked green gates is a precious collection of antique musical instruments originating from across Central Asia. The collection took over 20 years to assemble and was housed with support from the Ministry of Heritage and Culture. While the original owner (a renowned musician) died in 2003, the family has continued a tradition of music-making within the museum's three darkened rooms.

Concerts are something of an ad hoc affair, but 5pm on a Saturday in summer is good time to aim for.

The museum entrance is located diagonally opposite the obvious 'justice' mosaic.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Dushanbe attractions

1. Statue of Ismoil Somoni

0.3 MILES

One of Dushanbe’s most impressive modern monuments, this statue celebrates the 10th-century founder of the Samanid dynasty. With an art-deco quality to…

2. Rudaki Statue

0.32 MILES

Beneath an impressive arc of blue mosaic stars, the nation's most revered poet, Rudaki, is honoured here at the heart of the central park named after him…

3. Rudaki Park

0.38 MILES

Extensive Rudaki Park, with its beautiful canopy of mature trees, offers a series of pathways through flower gardens and alongside lakes and fountains…

4. National Library

0.4 MILES

Opened in 2011 and constructed to resemble an open book, this US$40 million archive is reputed to be Central Asia's biggest library. It makes an…

5. Palace of the President

0.42 MILES

This attractive Soviet-style building with a courtyard of fountains is closed to visitors but makes a useful reference point for navigating in the centre…

6. Parchan

0.47 MILES

Crowning the fountain-filled thoroughfare outside the National Library, this national monument was built to commemorate Tajikistan's independence. Cast…

7. Bayrak

0.53 MILES

Built to commemorate 20 years of independence, the world's second tallest flagpole stands at 165m and is the centrepiece of Dushanbe's central ensemble of…

8. Bactria Centre

0.54 MILES

Language classes available in Russian and Persian are available at this cultural centre, together with concerts, art exhibitions and a showroom of…